We inform and deepen policy conversations about making our nation’s health care financing system more equitable and affordable.

More than 100 million U.S. adults struggle with healthcare debt. There is more than $195 billion owed nationwide.

Medical debt is woven into our health care financing system and our economy. Our mission is to end medical debt. We have a unique model in that it combines the generosity of donors with debt industry expertise to produce a high volume of medical debt relief. The debt relief we provide reduces mental and financial distress for millions of people, removing a barrier to accessing the health care they need.

Nearly 1/2

of U.S. adults struggle to afford healthcare costs. For Black, Hispanic and low-income adults that figure jumps to at least six in ten.

greater likelihood that individuals with debt also have a mental health problem such as anxiety, stress, or depression.

Policy Domains

1 —

Affordable and comprehensive coverage.

2 —

Easy access to and enrollment in financial assistance programs.

3 —

Banning extraordinary collection actions and monitoring medical debt.

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Beneficiary Stories

Our policy priorities reflect the experiences of our constituents. We are committed to centering the voices and stories of our constituents’ priorities as we work to influence policy and systems changes that end medical debt. Read about the people RIP Medical Debt has helped through our donor-supported model.

Policy Resources

2022 Policy Summit — From Exam Room To Kitchen Table: The Role of Medical Debt in Health

Webinar

Understanding the Impacts of Medical Debt — Insights from Focus Groups with Atlanta Residents

Research

News

Recent Updates

The End of the Public Health Emergency through the Lens of Medical Debt

On February 9th, the Biden Administration renewed the public health emergency (PHE) for the final time. The scheduled end of the PHE will be May 11th — just over three years after it was declared by Health and Human Services (HHS) in January of 2020. As a reminder, the PHE is a tool for government to act swiftly, allowing for government to respond to COVID-19 and mitigate harm to individuals and communities; this includes mandates (such as coverage of COVID tests without cost-sharing), policy flexibility (waivers that relax regulatory requirements) and support for innovation (such as relaxing HIPPA requirements for telehealth). The advance notice is intended to help states prepare and the Administration released a transition roadmap to ease any disruptions for people. While these flexibilities made possible by the PHE will shift access for people, the health policy community is laser focused on Medicaid.