Appalachia - RIP Medical Debt

Reviving Appalachia Through Medical Debt Relief

Every dollar you donate abolishes $100 in Medical Debt

$6,658,598.04
raised of $6,015,070.51 goal
110%
Donate by Check
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Campaign Created ByRIP Medical Debt

RIPMD’s total face-value abolishments in the ARC-defined region of Appalachia – $1,069,118,490.15 of medical debt

In the past forty years, medical costs have doubled, insurance copays and deductibles have spiked, and bankruptcy rates have quadrupled, giving rise to burdensome medical debt. More than 60% of bankruptcies in America have medical debt as a root cause, and the situation is especially dire in Appalachia.

A recent study showed that in Appalachia, out-of-pocket healthcare costs are 40% higher than the national average, and this year, almost every state in Appalachia suffered a decline in insurance coverage—sure to make things worse.

Moreover, the economic hardship experienced by 1 in 5 Appalachians living below the poverty line often results in an inability to manage medical debts, exacerbating the challenges of poverty and, for many, creating a steep barrier to overcoming it. The repercussions of medical debt extend beyond financial distress, deterring individuals from seeking necessary healthcare or affording medications, thereby compromising both their health and financial security.

With its strong work ethic and abundant natural resources, Appalachia fueled America’s prosperity. From the Great Smoky Mountains to Davy Crockett, Appalachia has formed America’s cultural image. Musicians like Ralph Stanley and Dolly Parton defined American music. 

While medical debt has affected all of America, it is especially tragic that the medical debt crisis has hit Appalachia so hard, an area that has given so much to the country. 

How You Can Help

RIP Medical Debt donors Jim and Sharen Branscome have taken a big first step by abolishing $8 million of medical debt in the region. They’ve decided to continue their support by organizing this crowdfunding campaign that will focus on medical debt relief in Appalachia perpetually. With $240 million of medical debt available and growing in the region, the circumstances are right for a massive philanthropic opportunity.

When debt relief recipients open the yellow envelope from RIP, they are told that their debt has been bought by a third party and erased with no strings attached. They owe nothing on the debt and face no tax penalty.

Every dollar you contribute is a $100 investment in Appalachian towns and cities. Money will stay in the community instead of being taken by out-of-state debt collectors. On average, $16 can abolish the medical debt of an entire family, allowing them to invest in a home, schooling, or retirement.


“I read my letter over a few times to make sure it was the real thing. Receiving this debt relief renewed my faith that I can get back on track. It jump-started it – that we can do this – I can get back in the game! It’s unheard of what RIP does, and it’s a game changer in the medical world. It’s a game changer for me.” 

— Reagan, RIP Medical Debt Recipient of Debt Relief


Campaign Support Recipients
Appalachia
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$6,658,598.04
raised of $6,015,070.51 goal
110%
Donate by Check
  • Recent Donations
  • Donor Avatar
    Anonymous just donated $450
  • Donor Avatar
    Amy And Jeff I. just donated $128
  • Donor Avatar
    Penney F. just donated $26.80
  • Donor Avatar
    Anonymous just donated $106
  • Donor Avatar
    Katharine A. just donated $26.80
  • Donor Avatar
    Anthony & Mary Ann A. just donated $793
  • Donor Avatar
    Jennifer S. just donated $159
  • Donor Avatar
    Jackie G. just donated $2,113

New research on the impacts of medical debt

A new survey published by PerryUndem in 2023 shows that medical debt is a shared experience for patients across the country.

Key Findings

Patients are making tradeoffs that affect their daily lives.
  1. Nearly 7 in 10 Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they receive medical bills they cannot afford. Many are forced to delay paying the bill, put it on a credit card, or challenge the bill.
  2. 6 in 10 Six in ten patients report they have self-treated, delayed, or skipped dental and medical appointments. Thirty-four percent report changing the foods they eat or eating less food to afford health care.
People and patients feel trapped in debt and see no way out. They see medical debt as different from other forms of debt - entirely the fault of institutions and systems, and not something consumers have any control over.
  1. Nearly 50% Nearly half feel trapped and believe they will never be able to pay off their debt, while a third of respondents reported feeling heightened depression and anxiety.
  2. Nearly 9 in 10 Nearly 9 in 10 blame the health care industry for fueling the medical debt crisis - not patients themselves. They say the problem stems from the system putting profit over patients.

Fundraise for This Campaign

Start a fundraiser to help those in need. Set a personal fundraising goal and track online donations easily with RIP.

How RIP Works

Over a hundred million Americans, one in three, struggles with the weight of medical debt.

  • You make a donation

    We use data analytics to pinpoint the debt of those most in need: households that earn less than 4x the federal poverty level (varies by state, family size) or whose debts are 5% or more of annual income.

  • RIP buys medical debt at a steep discount

    We buy debt in bundles, millions of dollars at a time at a fraction of the original cost. This means your donation relieves about 100x its value in medical debt.

  • Together we wipe out medical debt

    People across the country receive letters that their debt has been erased. They have no tax consequences or penalties to consider. Just like that, they’re free of medical debt.


Frequent Questions

Yes. We are a 501(c)(3) charity and your donation is 100% tax deductible.


Relevant Documents:

When we purchase a portfolio of medical debt, we abolish debt for individuals who:

  • Earn less than 4x the federal poverty level (varies by state, family size).
  • Debts are 5 percent or more of annual income.

We only buy debt that has been pre-qualified by our partners to meet at least one of these criteria. 

We never collect on debt we purchase, only relieve it.

No. With your help, we abolish medical debt permanently. Recipients have no adverse tax consequences, obligations, or strings attached.

For those whose medical debts are relieved, the relief is a gift from a detached and disinterested third party (RIP) as an act of generosity, so relief of the debt does not count as income to the debtor. We will not file a Form 1099-C with the IRS.

Due to HIPAA laws, RIP Medical Debt cannot disclose the names, contact information or any other specific details of the debt relief beneficiaries.

RIP Medical Debt cannot relieve debt by individual request.

While we would love to help everyone who needs assistance, RIP Medical Debt cannot abolish medical debt for specific individuals. We approach the problem of medical debt by acquiring large portfolios of debt to help thousands of people at once.

Because medical debt affects so many people who may not have debt accounts in the portfolios we purchase, we have compiled a list of resources that may be able to help in ways RIP Medical Debt cannot.

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