City of Akron Announces Medical Debt Relief for 17,000 Akron Residents

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced that in partnership with national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, the City of Akron has been able to erase medical debt for nearly 17,000 Akron residents, totaling just under $20 million in debt relief. Letters from Undue Medical Debt will be mailed to those residents receiving debt relief in the next week to two weeks. View an example letter here.  

“Medical debt can weigh heavily on families, affecting their health, their finances, and their peace of mind,” said Mayor Malik. “By working together with Undue Medical Debt, we’ve lifted a major burden for thousands of Akronites. This debt relief will have an immediate, positive impact on our residents’ lives. I want to thank the members of Akron City Council and especially former Ward 1 Councilwoman Nancy Holland who helped spearhead this initiative with two medical students at Northeast Ohio Medical University, Max Brockwell and Emily Huff. Their passion really pushed this project forward and I’m grateful for their work.”  

“Undue Medical Debt- and other organized efforts to retire burdensome medical debt-offers a lifeline to individuals and families, in their hour of greatest need,” said former Ward 1 Councilwoman Nancy Holland. “I hope Akron’s participation in this program continues to set an example for communities across the country, especially during these challenging times. And may we, as a country and as a caring community, continue to press for access to affordable healthcare for all.” 

In 2023, Akron City Council voted unanimously to partner with Undue Medical Debt, formerly RIP Medical Debt, to buy Akronites’ medical debt and erase it.  Undue Medical Debt purchased nearly $20 million of Akron residents' medical debt for $115,000 which was paid for by the City of Akron. This debt was purchased from a variety of sources including health care providers and collection agencies. In order to qualify for debt relief, residents had to be at or below 400% of the poverty line (just over $100,000 a year for a family of three) or carry debt at or above 5% of their annual income. They also had to be Akron residents. 

“Medical debt forces too many families to choose between their health and their financial stability,” said Courtney Werpy Story, VP of Government Initiatives at Undue Medical Debt. “We’re proud to partner with the City of Akron to abolish nearly $20 million in medical debt for close to 17,000 residents. This relief is more than a financial reset; it gives people the freedom to focus on their lives, their health, and their futures.” 

Debt relief is source-based - Undue Medical Debt can only eliminate qualifying medical debts it is able to acquire from partners like hospitals or debt collectors. Individuals cannot request medical debt relief. To learn more, visit https://unduemedicaldebt.org/faq/.