New Jersey Cancels $100 Million in Medical Debt for 50,000 Residents

New Jersey is using unspent federal pandemic relief money to eliminate $100 million in medical debt for nearly 50,000 people across the state. Gov. Phil Murphy’s office said on Aug. 20 that funds are on the way for 17,905 New Jersey residents who collectively owe $61.6 million to Prime Healthcare hospitals, one of the nation’s largest health care providers. An additional 31,748 residents with over $38.4 million in debt owed to other providers, mostly through debt collection agencies, also will receive relief. The sweeping debt cancellation was made in partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a charitable organization that uses donations to bulk-buy unpaid medical bills at a discount and then abolish them....