The ongoing problem of medical debt

For several years now, the nation’s economy has enjoyed relative strength and growth. However, that does not mean that every person is Alabama lives without worry when it comes to how to make ends meet. Many consumers continue to struggle financially regardless of the seemingly positive economy both domestically and globally. The exorbitant cost of health care in America may well be one of the biggest contributors to these financial concerns. 

According to a report by CNBC, a study found that medical debt contributed to two out of three U.S. bankruptcy filings. The medical debt factored in both the cost of any care needed as well as income lost by a person due to their inability to work based on their medical condition. More than 525,000 bankruptcy cases in the United States have been filed due, at least in part, to these factors. 

As politicians and leaders in the health care and insurance communities continue to duke it out over how to bring affordable health care to everyone in America, two former debt collectors have taken action in a very different way. WBUR.org interviewed the two men who founded a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating medical debt for consumers in need. 

Called RIP Medical Debt, the organization solicits and accepts donations to pay off purchased medical debt. Targeted consumers involve those with low incomes or medical debt levels surpassing five percent of their annual earnings. Hospitals even benefit by receiving some portion of the amount owed to them, rather than nothing at all, without paying the high cost of further collection efforts.