Rep. Canty Erases Medical Debt Burdens on Working Class Illinoisans

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Tens of thousands of Illinoisans will receive more than $70 million in medical debt relief as a result of a measure passed by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights.

“A visit to the hospital shouldn’t come with huge bills and lasting economic hardship; healthcare poverty is coming to an end in Illinois,” Canty said. “My community sent me to Springfield to build a better future, and lending a hand to people unfairly hurt by the high cost of medical care and prescription drugs is a big step in the right direction.”

Canty helped pass the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program that will ultimately pay down a billion dollars of long-term medical debt for working-class Illinoisans. This first payment will eliminate $72 million for 52,745 Illinois residents throughout the state. Illinois is one of the first states in the country to take such a substantial step regarding the elimination of medical debt.

Residents do not need to apply for assistance; impacted households receive notification letters after their debts have been lifted. More relief is on the way soon.

“Affordable healthcare is an essential part of a growing economy,” Canty said. “Problems like medical debt, not to mention related issues like prescription rationing, drain people as they try to take advantage of opportunities and provide better lives for themselves and their families. Easing this burden will have a ripple effect that benefits all Illinoisans.”