OHIO — Paying off medical debt has become a challenge for Americans trying to make ends meet.
Through our partnership with Consumer Financial Protection BureauThe Biden administration is considering removing medical debt from all consumer credit reports.
They believe that credit lenders do not always report accurate data, that debt does not reflect the ability to pay bills, and that hospitals may use debt as a means of coercion. Efforts are already underway to help in the Buckeye State.
Columbus City Council is currently working with hospitals to eliminate $335 million in medical debt, and Cleveland City Council is currently working with RIP Medical Debt to eliminate $33 million in medical debt from 16,000 people.
“This is a benefit for families in terms of debt forgiveness,” said Cleveland City Councilman Chris Hirsch. “It’s in the hospital’s interest to get rid of it and, frankly, it’s also in the city council’s interest to be able to do this and help facilitate this for the residents.”
This is just the first wave of medical debt relief in Cleveland. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau plans to submit a proposal for public comment by the end of next year.
