CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS) — Over 52,000 people in Illinois had their medical debt wiped out thanks to a statewide pilot program.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services says last year, more than 1,100 people in Sangamon and Champaign counties were helped through the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program.
Claudia Lennhoff, Executive Director of Champaign County Healthcare Consumers explains who qualifies for this program:
It was basically available for people or households who had medical debt that had gone to collections. Families or households that were at 400% or below the federal poverty level could get that relief.
Lennhoff says this program is unique:
People didn’t have to apply for it, they were selected for…
