The San Mateo County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors has approved an agreement with RIP Medical Debt that will eliminate debt for 72,399 residents, Climate Magazine reported Dec. 20.
The agreement with the charity, that buys bundled debt from hospitals at a fraction of their original cost, will relieve $135.4 million in debt, according to the report.
Those who qualify for relief are either two times or below the federal poverty level or have debt that is five percent or more of their annual income, according to the report.