JB Pritzker Says Illinois Erased $1.4 Billion in Medical Debt for Nearly 700,000 Residents: ‘People Want to Pay Their Debts’ But ‘It’s Too Much’
Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) said the state has erased more than $1.4 billion in medical debt for nearly 700,000 residents through a program launched two years ago.
In a post on X on Friday, Pritzker wrote, "Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy. Healthcare should help people get back on their feet, not keep them down with years of financial struggle. Here in Illinois, we’re providing real relief — erasing $1.4 billion for nearly 700,000 Illinoisans."
The governor’s office announced the milestone in a press release on Thursday, saying the program had exceeded its original goal of eliminating $1 billion in medical debt by more than $400 million.
Pritzker Says Medical Bills Can Become ‘Too Much’
In a video accompanying his X post, Pritzker said, "I’ve talked to some folks who’ve received a letter like that; people have broken out crying." He added, "People want to pay their debts. They do, and they get bills in the mail that they know they are obligated, that they’re supposed to pay, and with medical, they often just can’t — it’s too much."
Medical debt remains a burden beyond Illinois. A Commonwealth Fund survey published in September found that 32% of working-age adults with private health insurance were paying off medical bills or debt over time. The survey also found that 30% had delayed or avoided needed care because of the cost, while 36% said they could not pay an unexpected $1,000 medical expense within 30 days.
The program automatically eliminates qualifying medical debt, with eligible residents receiving letters after their debts have been canceled.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D-Ill.) also highlighted the milestone in a post on X, writing, "In Illinois, we believe healthcare is a right — and no one should go bankrupt getting the care they need."
A $10 Million Investment, $1.4 Billion in Relief?
The state said more than 694,000 residents across all 102 Illinois counties have benefited from the program. Illinois spent about $10 million in state funds to eliminate the debt, with the state saying every dollar invested erased more than $100 in medical debt.
The program operates in partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that purchases bundled medical debts, often at a fraction of their face value, and cancels them for eligible residents. The state said recipients received an average of more than $1,200 in relief, while one resident received more than $900,000.
Illinois Medical Debt Relief Rules
Illinois residents qualify if their household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, or if their medical debt equals at least 5% of their annual household income. No application is required.
Combined with Cook County’s separate efforts, nearly 1.5 million Illinois residents have had more than $2.4 billion in medical debt erased, the state said.
Disclaimer: This content was produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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