Hospital

Somos Votantes Education Fund announced on Wednesday it will eliminate over $133 million in medical debt for tens of thousands of people in Nevada.

The organization noted in a press release that most of the funds will be distributed among people in Clark County, while another fraction will go to others in Washoe County. Overall, some 128,000 people will be reached.

It specified that "eligible community members do not need to apply" to get the relief and there is no application process. Those reached by the benefit, result of a partnership with Undue Medical Debt, will receive an envelope by the last week of the month detailing the debt that has been eliminated.

People whose medical debt represent 5% or more of their annual income will be reached by the relief, as well as those who earn "at or below four times the federal poverty level (just over $100,000 for a family of three)."

"This much-needed economic relief will allow entire families to focus on building a good life instead of choosing between paying for care or covering rent and groceries. And we are not done yet. Today's announcement is only part of our ongoing commitment to fighting for real solutions that make life more affordable for real people," said Melissa Morales, President and Founder of Somos Votantes Education Fund.

Undue Medical Debt President and CEO Allison Sesso, on her end, said the partnership "will help those least able to pay these burdensome debts of necessity, and we hope recipients feel encouraged to re-engage with the health care system without fear of the cost."

The organization also cited recent polling of its own, which showed that 45% of respondents were struggling to afford common medical expenses, and 35% carried medical debt.

Originally published on Latin Times