More than 352,000 Arizonans have had medical debt erased in the past year under an initiative from Gov. Katie Hobbs’s office.
Hobbs announced last year that her office would direct up to $30 million in federal pandemic relief funding to a nonprofit that buys medical debt for pennies on the dollar and cancels the balance. The goal was to relieve up to $2 billion owed by Arizonans.
The Hobbs administration announced Wednesday it has so far allocated about $2 million to the organization Undue Medical Debt (formerly known as RIP Medical Debt), which has wiped out about $429 million worth of debt in the state.
Beneficiaries don’t need to apply for the program, they just need to owe at least 5% of their annual income for medical bills or earn below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is about $128,600 for a family of four.
If someone’s debt is erased through the program, they will receive a notice in the mail from Undue Medical Debt.
-
Valleywise Health is getting a new leader. Dr. Michael White has been the county’s public hospital system’s chief clinical officer since 2019, but he’ll assume the roles of President and CEO on Aug. 1. -
How did a childhood in Mohave County lead to a career in public health? Jenna Honan wasn’t sure at first, but has since figured it out. -
A federal judge has ruled against Arizona — again — in an ongoing lawsuit over the healthcare the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry provides. This time, the judge says Arizona cannot hire doctors who don’t meet certain standards that had previously been agreed on. -
A study by ASU researchers continues to delve into how opioid withdrawal affects the brain. Using mice, they explored the effects of chronic drug usage. -
A parasitic infection that causes severe diarrhea has appeared in 34 states, including Arizona. But Arizona's cases may not be linked to the outbreak in other states.
