Columbus: City Leaders Announce $335 Million in Medical Debt Relief
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~ Today, Columbus City Council announced a unique solution to forgive $335 million in medical debt for Columbus residents. Council President Shannon Hardin and President Pro Tem Rob Dorans were joined by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Central Ohio Hospital Council (COHC) to make the announcement.

The legislation proposed by Hardin and Dorans will issue a $500,000 nonprofit contract with COHC to cover the costs associated with notifying residents of their relieved debt, including mailing costs for notification letters and third-party verification of mailing address and income eligibility.

"All too often medical debt becomes a financial albatross for working families; as it's the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States," said Dorans. "Families should not have to choose between putting food on the table and accessing needed medical care. While Columbus City Council does have the power to restructure America's healthcare system; this legislation will bring increased economic stability to working families in Columbus that have been saddled with medical debt."

The Central Ohio Hospital Council is a nonprofit organization that facilitates collaboration between area hospitals and community stakeholders to improve the quality, value, equity and accessibility of healthcare in the region. Its four members include Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and OhioHealth. The partnership with City Council will provide debt forgiveness for Columbus residents who were treated at any of these four hospital systems from 2015 through 2020.

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Council President Hardin noted that "medical debt is not just a financial liability. It's an obstacle to health that makes people put off the care they need for fear of generating an unexpected co-pay or out-of-network charge." To be eligible for relief, patients must have an income between 200-400% of the federal poverty level or between $55,500 and $111,000 for a family of four. Individuals who make below 200% of the federal poverty level are not billed for the medical care they receive.

Medical debt disproportionately impacts women, people of color and households earning less than 400% of the federal poverty level. The Central Ohio Hospital Council has estimated that 340,660 Columbus residents will receive debt forgiveness with an average amount relieved per patient being $984. Mayor Ginther commented on how this effort would help those affected saying "No one should have to face the prospect of financial hardship because they sought care when they needed it most."

Legislation authorizing City Council's contract with COHC is expected to come before council at tonight's meeting. Residents who are eligible for medical debt forgiveness will receive notification by mail; no action is required on their part.

Columbus City Council has taken steps towards relieving its citizens from medical debt today as President Shannon Hardin and President Pro Tem Rob Dorans were joined by Mayor Andrew J Ginther and Central Ohio Hospital Council (COHC) in announcing a unique solution which would forgive $335 million worth of medical debts owed by Columbus residents over five years from 2015-2020 .

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The proposed ordinance 2768-2023 would issue a $500 000 non profit contract with COHC which would cover costs associated with notifying citizens about their relieved debts including mailing costs , third party verification of mailing addresses as well as income eligibility .

Dorans spoke about how this legislation could bring economic stability to working families burdened by medical debts saying "Families should not have to choose between putting food on their table or accessing needed medical care . While we do not have power to restructure America's healthcare system , this legislation can bring increased economic stability . "

COHC is a non profit organization which facilitates collaboration between hospitals , community stakeholders as well as improving quality , value , equity as well as accessibility when it comes to healthcare in this region . Its four members include Mount Carmel Health System , Nationwide Children's Hospital , The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as well as OhioHealth .

Hardin spoke about how this effort could help those affected saying "Medical debt is an insidious problem – impacting both insured and uninsured alike . No one should face prospect of financial hardship because they sought care when they needed it most . Forgiving this debt can go long way towards helping our fellow neighbors rebuild savings , pay off bills , qualify for loans , make down payments on cars or support local businesses . "

To be eligible patients must have incomes between 200 - 400 % federal poverty level or between $55 500 -$111 000 for family size 4 while individuals making below 200 % federal poverty level are not billed for any medical care received . Medical debts disproportionately impact women , people color or households earning less than 400 % federal poverty level . An estimated 340 660 Columbus residents will receive relief from debts totaling up to $335 213 212 while average amount relieved per patient being estimated at 984 dollars .

Legislation authorizing city council's contract with COHC is expected come before council at tonight's meeting while citizens eligible for relief will receive notifications via mail without requiring any action on their part .

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