More than $133 million in medical debt eliminated for 128,000 Nevadans

Lee esta nota en español

Did you receive a letter in the mail stating your medical debt had been eliminated? It’s not a scam.

Last month, Somos Votantes Education Fund announced that it had eliminated more than $128 million in medical debt for nearly 125,000 people in Clark County and $5 million for 3,559 people in Washoe County.

This was made possible through a collaboration between Somos Votantes Education Fund and the nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt. Its new program, Seeds of Relief, aims to provide direct financial relief to working people and will include future initiatives to provide essential resources to those who need them most.

Those who were included in this first round of debt cancellation should have received a letter in the mail, in an envelope bearing the Undue Medical Debt logo, the week of Nov. 24, confirming their debt cancellation. There is no confirmation step and no additional information or payment required.

“Seeds of Relief is a program that not only seeks to eliminate debt but also to give working families the opportunity to focus on what truly matters: building a better life for their families,” said Emmanuelle Leal-Santillan, communications director for Somos Votantes Education Fund. “This is for everyone who feels overwhelmed by medical debt, who will finally receive some relief and be able to breathe easy after receiving this letter informing them that Somos Votantes Education Fund has eliminated their medical debt.”

The program does not require an application, but to learn more about eligibility and future relief rounds, visit seedsofrelief.com. 

A 2022 national survey by KFF, a nonprofit organization focused on national health issues, shows that people with medical debt report cutting back in other areas of their lives, such as food, clothing, and other household needs. Some reported using their savings to pay medical bills, have borrowed money from friends or family, or taken on additional debt (like credit cards) to off-set or pay some of their medical bills.

The analysis shows that 20 million people (nearly 1 in 12 adults) in the US have medical debt and suggests that these same people owe at least $220 billion in medical debt. Approximately 14 million people (6% of adults) owe more than $1,000 in medical debt, and about 3 million (1% of adults) owe more than $10,000.

Although medical debt affects various demographic groups, people with disabilities or poorer health, those with low incomes, and those without health insurance are more likely to have medical debt.

“When debt is eliminated, new opportunities arise, and that benefits everyone,” said Melissa Morales, president and founder of Somos Votantes Education Fund, in a statement. “This much-needed economic relief will allow entire families to focus on building a better life instead of having to choose between paying for health care or covering rent and food. And this is just the beginning.”