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Calling medical debt a “uniquely American issue,” Pritzker is
using $10 million in state funding in the new fiscal year to
purchase the medical debt of up to 300,000 Illinoisans.
“No Illinoisan should face financial ruin after receiving the
medical care they need,” said Pritzker.
Pritzker first proposed a medical debt buyback program during
his fiscal year 2025 State of the State and Budget Address.
“We know that households burdened by medical debt are less
likely to go to the doctor or seek follow-up care, and are more
likely to suffer from illness,” said House Bill 5290 sponsor,
state Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago. “Our communities need to
know they can seek medical care whenever they need it.”
Simmons said to qualify, individuals must have a household
income below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, or possess
medical debt amounting to 5% or more of their household income
ensuring those facing significant financial hardship from
medical expenses receive relief.
Opponents of the plan said taxpayer subsidies to a nonprofit to
liquidate select medical debt may not provide the benefits
supporters are looking for.
State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, said the state can’t afford
it.
“One thing we need to remember is that Illinois is broke and
people are leaving,” said Miller.
Pritzker also signed into law Senate Bill 2933 that makes
medical debt ineligible to be included on a credit report, an
action that is also being proposed at the federal level by the
Biden administration.
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