ICYMI: Somos Votantes Education Fund's Kansas Medical Debt Relief Reaches Over $42 Million for Nearly 27,000 Kansans
Melissa Morales discusses the relief with KSNT 27 News as final totals show more Kansas families will see their debt erased
Overland Park, KS — Somos Votantes Education Fund's second wave of medical debt relief eliminates $42,436,967 in medical debt for 26,926 Kansans. The final figures are larger than an earlier estimate shared last week. Melissa Morales, president and founder of Somos Votantes Education Fund shared this update on KSNT 27 News.
"A medical bill shouldn't be the reason someone can’t pay rent or put food on the table but that does seem to be the reality right now for a lot of hardworking Kansans, so we just hope that this program gives a little bit of breathing room to families across our state.” — Melissa Morales, president and founder of Somos Votantes Education Fund, KSNT 27 News
Eligible Kansans do not need to apply. Those who qualify will receive a branded envelope from national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt the week of Oct. 19 listing which debts have been eliminated. No action is required.
Under Undue Medical Debt guidelines, qualifying households have medical debt equal to 5% or more of annual income, or earn at or below four times the federal poverty level (just over $100,000 for a family of three).
The relief comes as new federal Medicaid work reporting requirements and eligibility restrictions threaten to push more Kansans into medical debt. It is part of Seeds of Relief, Somos Votantes Education Fund's direct economic relief initiative, which has already eliminated over $133 million in medical debt for more than 128,000 people in Nevada and will eliminate $240,000 in overdue utility bills for over 280 Michigan families.
Learn more at seedsofrelief.com.
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About Somos Votantes Education Fund
Somos Votantes Education Fund is a 501c3 nonpartisan civic engagement organization dedicated to educational and charitable programs that empower the Latino community.