The church wiped out the debt via a partnership with RIP Medical Debt. For every $100 donation, the New York City-based nonprofit forgives $10,000 in medical debt. RIP Medical Debt limits its debt purchases to people who earn less than twice the poverty level, have out-of-pocket medical expenses that total more than 5 percent of their income or face bankruptcy.
St. Bede’s donated $15,000 to the nonprofit.
The church said it paid off all the available medical debt for all families who owed in New Mexico, as well as several counties in Arizona: Apache, Gila, Graham, Mohave, part of Maricopa and all Navajo counties.
Households that had their debt forgiven received a letter in the mail that said, “St. Bede’s Episcopal Church has paid off the medical debt you have been struggling with for the past number of years. No strings attached.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
