New Jersey Department of Health Eliminates $90 Million in Medical Debt for Nearly 20,000 Residents
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), through its Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (OHCAT), has announced the ninth and final round of medical debt relief, totaling $90 million for nearly 20,000 New Jersey residents. This initiative, in partnership with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, has collectively retired over $1.6 billion in medical debt for approximately 900,000 residents. The program was funded by an initial state investment and expanded with one-time federal American Rescue Plan Funds. Impacted residents will receive Undue-branded letters, and no action is required on their part. Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized her administration's commitment to making healthcare more affordable and accessible, especially as federal changes are perceived to be reducing access to affordable healthcare. Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner, highlighted that medical debt is a symptom of high healthcare costs and a barrier to health equity. The program, which...
