Laura Waddell from New Jersey Citizen Action says that more than 50,000 residents will benefit from this news. However, many others still need help, as medical debt often stops people from getting the care they need.
There are 1.5 million New Jersey residents struggling with medical debt,Waddell said. We need to do more to make health care affordable and accessible.
Under this plan, people who meet the income and debt criteria will have their debts cleared. $62 million will go to pay off debts from Prime Health Care, which operates in North Jersey, and $38 million will settle debts with other medical groups and collections agencies.
Governor Murphy said that no one should have to save every penny just to afford basic health care. New Jersey is one of only five states that provide money to settle medical debt and have laws to protect people’s credit scores from unpaid medical bills.