The city of Columbus in Ohio is considering a plan to relieve millions in medical debt for its residents, NPR-affiliate WOSU reported Dec. 19.
A plan brought before the Columbus City Council would cancel up to $200 million, according to the report. The proposed ordinance would require the city to spend $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to partner with RIP Medical Debt, a charity that buys bundled debt from hospitals at a fraction of their original cost.
The measure was proposed by Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown, who said medical debt is disproportionately held by women and people of color, according to the report. Families earning below 400 percent of the federal poverty line would be eligible for debt forgiveness.
The Toledo (Ohio) City Council approved a similar plan in November to eliminate up to $240 million in medical debt.