DETROIT, MI – December 19, 2024 – Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services (HHVS) is happy to announce that $27 million in outstanding medical debt is being wiped out for more than 46,000 county residents.  

The debt was sourced from a local hospital, which wishes to remain anonymous but is committed to community benefit and making healthcare accessible.  

“Since we first announced this new program in March of this year, a program designed to wipe out more than $700 million in medical debt, I am extremely pleased to see the program’s success thus far in helping so many of our residents in need. These resources will help to eliminate the stress they have been under as they juggle how to pay for crushing hospital bills while keeping the lights on and putting food on the table at the same time,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. 

Undue Medical Debt is a national, 501(c)(3) nonprofit which acquires medical debts belonging to those least able to pay in large, bundled portfolios for pennies or less on the dollar. Qualifying patients live in Wayne County and are four times (400%) or below the federal poverty level or have medical debt that equals 5% or more of their annual income. Medical debt relief is source-based, meaning the nonprofit can only acquire qualifying medical debts from providers who agree to be partners like hospitals and physicians’ groups (along with debt buyers and collection agencies). Debt relief cannot be requested.  

“With this program, we are doing our part to address the way our national healthcare affordability crisis affects Wayne County residents.  Medical debt is a financial anchor on too many families, often forcing them to choose basic everyday needs or being forced to pay medical bills.  We are proud to work with Undue Medical Debt to help bring a measure of relief to vulnerable families throughout Wayne County,” said Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Wayne County Health Director and Director of Health, Human, and Veterans Services. 

Those benefiting from medical debt relief will receive an Undue branded envelope in the mail this week signed by County Executive Evans detailing which debt or debts have been erased. No action is required by recipients. This letter is simply to inform them of the program and invites them to share their testimony.  

“Our top priority as public servants is to do everything we can to make sure our residents are taken care of, to make their lives better,” said Deputy Wayne County Executive Assad Turfe. “Removing the crushing burden of medical debt from 46,000 residents will go a long way toward making those lives better.” 

The county has invested $5 million in this collaboration with the goal of erasing $700 million in medical debt. An additional $2 million could be added in the future should it be needed.  On average, one dollar donated to the nonprofit relieves $100 of medical debt.   

“I’m pleased to be working with Wayne County on this transformative partnership that will see medical debt relief for thousands of residents who are least able to pay these burdensome debts of necessity,” said Undue Medical Debt CEO and president Allison Sesso. “Medical debt not only has negative financial implications, but it also weighs on families like an emotional albatross, preventing many from seeking necessary care and undermining health. This program will help those in need right now and hopefully inform continued advocacy to stop the causes of these debts.” 

“Medical debt is crushing for far too many Wayne County families and individuals,” said Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell (D-Detroit). “Now the county has created a new partnership that will truly make a difference in helping thousands of residents get out from under the burden of that debt. This program will be a model for other counties throughout the nation and I can’t wait to share it with my peers at the National Association of Counties.” 

Future medical debt relief will be announced by the county government informing recipients to keep their eyes peeled for an envelope.  

For more information about the Wayne County Program, visit www.waynecounty.com/medicaldebtrelief or email [email protected].