(WXYZ) — Michigan has eliminated $144 million in medical debt for more than 210,000 residents as part of a state initiative announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday.
Watch Jolie Sherman’s video report:
Medical debt relief on the way
The debt relief comes through a partnership with the nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt, which purchases medical debt for pennies on the dollar.
“We believe that getting sick or getting hurt shouldn’t have to mean going broke,” Whitmer said.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist noted the widespread impact of medical debt in the state, saying, “We estimate that there are more than 700,000 adults who carry medical debt. That’s more than the combined populations…