JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Vice President Kamala Harris announced a White House effort Monday to help alleviate the burdensome medical debt that she says “paralyzes so many” Americans.
The administration effort comes as skyrocketing inflation has increased costs across the board, including medical costs, and has left many unable to pay their bills.
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Harris said one in three American adults “struggles with unpaid medical bills” and is now the largest source of debt in collections, surpassing credit cards, utilities and auto loans combined.
And Harris said the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the crisis.
“Anyone who has needed that level of medical care over that period of time, should be allowed the dignity of being able to focus on their recovery, and not in addition to the burden of recovery, deal with the burden of debt associated with a medical need,” she said.
“No one in our nation should have to go bankrupt just to get the health care they need,” Harris added.
The White House unveiled a four-point plan to address Americans’ medical debt burden and includes actions such as helping low-income veterans get their debt forgiven to holding debt collectors and medical providers accountable for harmful practices.
The White House is also looking to reduce the role that medical debt plays in determining whether Americans can access credit.