Overview
Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit founded in 2014, buys and abolishes medical debt for individuals and families facing financial distress. They leverage donations to relieve the burden of healthcare bills, providing hope and financial stability to countless Americans. Through transparency and efficiency, Undue Medical Debt transforms lives by erasing medical debt, making a significant impact on communities across the United States.
Impact
As many as 60% of Americans are carrying some form of medical debt while the average cost of healthcare continues to rise. With over $195 billion in medical debt outstanding in the United States, these cases are the leading cause of bankruptcy, mental illness, and avoidance of care. Many of us, Chicagoland citizens, are one broken arm away from bankruptcy.
As of 2023, Undue Medical Debt has access to approximately $32 million of medical debt throughout Chicagoland, impacting all our neighbors. Individuals with one-off conditions, chronic illnesses, or even those who suffered through minor emergency events are struggling to make ends meet as these bills pile up and impact their quality of life.
High healthcare costs and limited insurance coverage often result in substantial medical payments that can be overwhelming. Families in the Collar counties, which include DuPage, Kane, Will, McHenry, and Lake County, frequently struggle to meet their basic needs due to medical debt, affecting their economic advancement, physical and mental health, and overall well-being. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensure the financial stability and prosperity of individuals and communities in Illinois.
Objective
Our objective is to raise $100,000 for medical debt relief, alleviating the financial burden of healthcare expenses for those in Chicagoland.
Through strategic fundraising efforts, we aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of local individuals and families, offering them relief from burdensome medical debt. Your support will help us erase medical debt and foster healthier communities and brighter futures.
How You Can Help
For every $1 you donate to Undue Medical Debt, $100 worth of unpaid hospital bills can be purchased and cleared for members of our community. However, our goal is not just about the numbers. It is about changing lives. It means families in Chicagoland can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they won’t have to choose between paying a medical bill or buying necessities, nor will they have to deal with the anxiety of juggling both.
It is a way to make the world a bit brighter and show that there is still goodness and kindness out there, even as we all navigate challenging times.
Your donation might be as small as the cost of a cup of coffee to you, but for someone else, it’s a much-needed helping hand.
