CHICAGO, IL — Governor JB Pritzker has erased more than $1.1 billion in medical debt for more than 500,000 Illinoisans through the state’s Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program. Illinois was one of the first states to enact a statewide program to eliminate medical debt.
In 2024, Gov. Pritzker signed into law the Medical Debt Relief Act to establish the program in partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys medical debt bundled at a discount and erases it. Through their program, Illinois has bought and canceled $1.1 billion in medical debt at the cost of only $10 million.
“Medical debt has pushed too many families to the brink, and Illinois is taking action,” said Gov. Pritzker. “At a time when MAGA Republicans in Washington are forcing families off of their healthcare and making everything more expensive, we’re delivering real relief for working families struggling with medical debt.”
Gov. Pritzker is committed to lowering costs and putting money back into the pockets of Illinois families. That’s why he is fighting every day to expand access to affordable healthcare and alleviate the burden of medical debt.
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CONTACT: press@jbpritzkercampaign.com