Pa. medical debt relief program receives $4 million in Shapiro's budget proposal – The Philadelphia Inquirer

Thousands of Pennsylvania residents could see their unpaid medical bills wiped out by a new medical debt relief program proposed under Gov. Josh Shapiros budget.

The budget includes $4 million to partner with a to-be-determined organization that purchases medical debt in bulk for pennies on the dollar, eliminating patients responsibility for paying it off. The $4 million investment could forgive up to $400 million in medical debt held by Pennsylvania residents, according to one estimate by a leading medical debt relief organization.

Health care and health insurance costs are among the biggest financial challenges for many families. Roughly a quarter of Pennsylvania residents have unpaid medical bills. Many more worry about whether they…

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