To donate to this campaign by mail, please send a check:
Payable To:
RIP Medical Debt
Address:
RIP Medical Debt
P. O. Box 411675
Boston, MA 02241-1675
Memo Line:
The Renns — 46562
Renn Jubilee
Help Abolish Medical Debt Today!
Medical debt is one of the cruelest types of debt imaginable. Luckily, we’ve never had to navigate medical debt, but over the past few years, we have witnessed the limits of our medical system and the ways medical debt can immobilize a person or a family. Navigating the medical system can be challenging enough, particularly in times of acute illness or uncertainty. Yet, navigating this system while facing mounting debt adds an extra burden to so many families. We’ve witnessed this agony in families facing a severe, sudden illness of a child; individuals with chronic conditions requiring expensive treatments; individuals with emergency needs that then face unbearable bills that follow; individuals who lose a job (and insurance) and then receive a terrifying diagnosis under different coverage. It’s staggering. And then the ever-present stress of debt, the harm to credit, and relentless contact to pay these unavoidable debts make a stressful situation even worse.
We first heard of RIP Medical Debt through an article in The New Yorker and have followed subsequent articles and podcasts through the years. In short, RIP Medical Debt purchases medical debt from hospitals, providers, and collection agencies for a reduced rate, and then forgives it, freeing hundreds from the burden of medical debt.
We’re seeking to raise $10,000, which will result in roughly $1 million of debt forgiven. Deuteronomy details the concept of ‘jubilee’ in ancient Judaism. During this time, debts were forgiven on the seventh year. We are launching it now in celebration of our 7th anniversary (our 1st jubilee) and the 50th anniversary of my parents (jubilee of jubilees). We recognize the gifts we’ve been given and want to gift our brothers in turn. Help us give this freedom to other Hoosiers! Every dollar given will be matched 1:1, up to $10,000.
How it works
- 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. Recipients have no tax consequences or penalties to consider. Just like that, they’re free of medical debt!
Campaign Support Recipients
- Recent Donations
- Aaron R. just donated $10,000
- Anonymous just donated $3,170
- Anonymous just donated $26.80
- Anonymous just donated $19.40
- Jennifer S. just donated $128
- Alyssa N. just donated $25
- Kate B. just donated $26.80
- Tara S. just donated $106
To donate to this campaign by mail, please send a check:
Payable To:
RIP Medical Debt
Address:
RIP Medical Debt
P. O. Box 411675
Boston, MA 02241-1675
Memo Line:
The Renns — 46562
- Recent Donations
- Aaron R. just donated $10,000
- Anonymous just donated $3,170
- Anonymous just donated $26.80
- Anonymous just donated $19.40
- Jennifer S. just donated $128
- Alyssa N. just donated $25
- Kate B. just donated $26.80
- Tara S. just donated $106
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
More Campaigns
Ready to Launch Your Own Debt Relief Campaign?