びびなび : ロサンゼルス : (アメリカ合衆国) Los Angeles

News Release


*For Immediate Release:*

December 2, 2025

 

*Over $363 Million in Medical Debt Relieved for Low-Income Los Angeles County Residents*

*"New Wave of Notices Relieves Over $180 Million for Thousands More Residents"*

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today announced that over $363 million in medical debt has been permanently erased to date for more than 171,000 Los Angeles County residents as part of the LA County Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program, a landmark initiative to reduce the financial burden of medical debt and advance health equity across the county.

In the coming days, another wave of residents will receive letters notifying them that their medical debt has been retired, with no application required. The program, launched in December 2024 and administered in partnership with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, is designed to bring real relief to residents who have been most impacted by medical costs.

Through an initial $5 million investment approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program was originally authored by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly J. Mitchell, who led the Board action to establish the initiative and secure its initial funding. The County’s goal is to retire County’s goal is to retire an estimated $500 million in medical debt for low-income residents, representing nearly a quarter of the total $2.9 billion of medical debt held across Los Angeles County. This most recent wave of debt relief will erase over $180 million in medical debt for more than 39,000 individuals.

The Medical Debt Relief Program purchases qualifying debts from partnered hospitals, health systems, and collection agencies for a fraction of their face value.

Relief cannot be requested. It is granted automatically to eligible Los Angeles County residents whose debt is held by participating providers. To qualify, residents must have a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or medical debt that equals 5% or more of their annual income. Recipients will receive an official letter from Undue Medical Debt and Los Angeles County confirming that their debt has been permanently forgiven.

“If you get a letter in the mail from LA County and Undue Medical Debt — open it. We’ve eliminated medical debt for thousands more residents, with no strings attached. This is real relief for people who need it,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This is LA County doing what government should do: making smart, compassionate decisions that make people’s lives better.”

“Medical debt should never stand between our residents and the care they deserve. This newest wave of relief — more than $180 million — represents more than numbers on a page; it’s about lifting a burden that has held families back,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “We remain committed to addressing the root causes of medical debt so no one has to choose between their well-being and their basic needs.”

“Financial strain too often limits people’s ability to focus on their health, their families, and their future,” said Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “By lifting this burden, residents are able to make choices that support their health and well-being. No one should need to worry that taking care of their health needs can result in financial harm.”

In addition to direct debt relief, Los Angeles County continues to lead statewide efforts to prevent medical debt before it occurs. In September 2025, the County published a model hospital financial assistance application, best-practice recommendations, and a report on hospital assistance policies, all designed to make financial aid more accessible and equitable.

These efforts build upon recent state legislation, Assembly Bill 1312, signed in October 2025, which will require hospitals to presumptively screen patients for financial assistance eligibility starting in July 2027. This will ensure that eligible patients receive help automatically rather than being burdened by complex paperwork or delayed billing.

In partnership with L.A. Care Health Plan and the Hospital Association of Southern California, the County is also developing implementation supports to ensure hospitals can meet these new standards effectively and equitably.

The County continues to expand partnerships with local hospitals and health systems to grow the reach of the Medical Debt Relief Program. By strengthening financial assistance practices and improving transparency, Los Angeles County is laying the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future.

For more information about medical debt relief and prevention in Los Angeles County, visit: publichealth.lacounty.gov/RelieveMedicalDebt [ http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/RelieveMedicalDebt?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= ]


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"*The Los Angeles County Departmen**t of Public Health* "

"The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well -being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises of more than 5,000 employees and has an annual budget of $1.3 billion."

 

"Los Angeles County Department of Public Health works to protect health, 
prevent disease, and promote health and well-being."

 

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