Nearly 50,000 New Jerseyans will see some or all of their medical debt paid off under a plan funded by federal tax dollars, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday.
The plan affects 17,905 patients who owe $61.5 million to the for-profit chain Prime Healthcare, which operates five hospitals in North Jersey. Another $38.4 million that has already gone to collection agencies will be erased, affecting 31,738 residents.
The announcement is part of an effort to reduce medical bills in a state with some of the highest health care costs in the nation. Almost 1 million New Jerseyans have unpaid medical bills that have already gone to debt collectors.
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“New Jerseyans should not have to scrimp and save to ensure their…
