Earlier this month, I announced the first round of medical debt forgiveness and erased over $144 million for nearly 210,000 Michiganders acr





*July 30, 2025*



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medical debt

Dear Friend, 

Lowering costs is one of my top priorities, and I am doing everything I can to put more money back in your pockets. Earlier this month, I announced our first round of medical debt forgiveness and erased over $144 million in debt for nearly 210,000 Michiganders across the state.

Health care costs continue to increase as federal cuts to Medicaid begin to affect our families. By working with Undue Medical Debt [ [link removed] ], we are taking action to reduce medical debt, so Michiganders can get better without going broke.

Medical debt affects 100 million Americans, often stemming from unexpected illnesses or injuries. When this debt goes unpaid, many people forgo the care they need. In the U.S., medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy. Here in Michigan, more than 700,000 people have medical debt—forcing many to choose between paying their medical bills or putting food on the table.

Our first round of medical debt relief will benefit over 210,000 Michiganders in counties across our state. By lifting this burden, we can help people stop delaying or skipping care due to costs and support healthier lives in every community.

See below to learn more about our medical debt relief plan and find out if you qualify. In Michigan, we believe being sick or getting hurt shouldn’t mean going broke.

Sincerely,

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Gretchen Whitmer

Governor 

Medical Debt Relief Plan

The first round of relief erased $144 million in medical debt. This relief is a one-time abolishment to help remove the financial and emotional burden of unpayable medical debts. The debt relief is source-based, depending on community-minded providers, like hospitals, who choose to engage. This round is statewide but focuses on Southeastern Michigan.

The top 10 counties receiving relief are: Macomb, Jackson, Kent, Genesee, Ingham, Monroe, Clair, Calhoun, Lenawee, & St. Joseph.

Frequently Asked Questions

* How do I apply for this program?
* There is no way to apply for this program. Undue Medical Debt [ [link removed] ] (Undue) performs an analysis of hospital debt portfolios and identifies qualifying accounts. All accounts that qualify will have their debt canceled and will be notified without needing to take any action.
* Medical debt relief cannot be requested and is source-based, depending on community-minded providers, like hospitals, who choose to engage.

* What are the qualifications to have medical debts erased?
* To be eligible for medical debt relief, recipients must:
* Be Michigan residents, AND
* Have income that is four times below the poverty level, OR
* Have a medical debt that equals 5% or more of their annual income.

* These are the only requirements for relief.

* How will people be notified if their debt is relieved?
* Undue Medical Debt [ [link removed] ] (Undue) will notify recipients by mail if specific medical debts have been acquired and canceled under this program. Emails may also be used to send notifications.
* Michiganders receiving medical debt relief will get a letter in the mail from Undue in July 2025. No action is required; the letter simply provides details about the relief and encourages recipients to share their stories.

* Who can I speak with about the medical relief bill?
* You can get in contact with Undue here: [link removed]

* What resources can you provide for people who don’t have medical debt, but are considered low income?
* I have worked to prioritize the health and well-being of every Michigander by ensuring access to affordable health care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Learn more here [ [link removed] ].__

* Are there strings attached to debt relief?
* No! The debt relief is free for the recipient. There are no strings attached.

* What do I do if I lost my letter from Undue Medical Debt [ [link removed] ] (Undue)?
* If you received a letter in the mail from Undue Medical Debt [ [link removed] ] (Undue) and would like a copy, you can get in touch here: [link removed], with your full name and address and Undue will resend the letter.

* How do I avoid phishing scams?
* Phishing scams are attempts by cybercriminals to trick you into revealing sensitive personal information. They often use emails or websites that appear to be legitimate.
* Scammers may try to steal donor information by impersonating Undue to collect your personal and financial details. They may also divert donations by creating fraudulent websites that mimic Undue’s official donation pages.
* Check the URL carefully: always verify the website address (URL) before entering any information.
* Do not click on suspicious links: avoid clicking on links in emails or from unknown sources.
* Be wary of warning signs: legitimate websites should not have spelling or grammatical errors. Be suspicious of urgent calls to action, threats, or promises of immediate rewards or penalties.
* If you suspect a phishing attempt, do not respond to the email or click any links, do not provide your personal or financial information, and forward the email or website URL to Undue’s team at [email protected]__

Undue Medical Debt

The partnership between Undue Medical Debt and the State of Michigan will support hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, giving them a lifeline to free themselves of the burden of medical debt. Undue Medical Debt [ [link removed] ] (formerly RIP Medical Debt) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to erasing medical debt for Americans. The organization buys qualifying medical debt in bulk—often for pennies on the dollar—from hospitals, physicians’ groups, and collection agencies. It works tirelessly to end medical debt and ensure a future where everyone can access healthcare without fear. 

Through the State of Michigan’s partnership with Undue, more rounds of medical debt forgiveness will take place in the future.








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