More than 600,000 N.J. residents just had their medical debt abolished

[Wicked Blue]

Source: NJ.com

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that 629,000 residents will see a combined $927 million in debt forgiven in the state’s fourth round of medical debt abolishment.

Murphy said the state spent $5.8 million of leftover federal COVID-19 funds to retire the medical debt in conjunction with Undue Medical Debt, an organization created by former debt collection executives that goes around the country to buy up medical debt and erase it altogether.

Since last August, New Jersey and Undue have partnered to eliminate more than $1 billion in medical debt for an estimated 776,000 New Jerseyans and counting.

“Nobody should have to choose between their health and their financial stability. My Administration has pursued lasting systemic reforms to put more affordable health care in reach for New Jersey families and better protect our residents from accumulating debt,” said Murphy in a press release.



Read more: https://www.nj.com/politics/2025/04/more-than-600000-nj-residents-just-had-their-medical-debt-abolished.html

[Traildogbob]

1. Holy shit!

2028????

[IronLionZion]

2. Undue Medical Debt used to be called RIP Medical Debt

and organization that many DUers are familiar with for a while. https://unduemedicaldebt.org/

It's a good goal and group. I find it interesting that it was founded by former debt collection executives.

[rustysgurl]

3. Drump will find a way ...

... to say this is a misuse of those funds and demand the $$ back.

[Pinback]

4. Yeah, just think

how many endangered game safaris or memecoins these funds could have covered!

[3Hotdogs]

13. Instead of paying off deadbeat debt, the money should have bought 'em boxes of Trump Steak.

They would have been in better health from all that protein.

[LizVerite]

17. Waay too much fat.

[Dave Bowman]

18. If there are Dump Steaks still around they must be moldy like hell.

It could start a new fad: Green steaks and ham.

[Javaman]

10. or try and take credit for it. I think you're probably right though. nt

[ReRe]

5. I think this proves

that we need to pass a Universal Medicare health care Act.

[calimary]

26. Definitely. And it should be named in his honor.

Thank you, Governor Murphy!

[ReRe]

27. As for a name of this Universal health care?

I really think it should be named "Berniecare". No?

[EmmaLee E]

29. His name is most connected to Medicare for All

But as we learned with Obamacare, these dem names are very divisive.

[ReRe]

30. Alrighty then.

I will go along with you. Medicare for All it is! But Medicare for All will always be attributed back to Burnie. Because he has fought for universal health care for all as a human right for decades.

[EmmaLee E]

31. So right you are!

I've always been a Bernie fan - and Medicare for All is his.

What a missed opportunity we had.

[DoBW]

6. amazing

good news is good news

[xuplate]

7. Every once a while

Something like this restores my faith in humanity.

[dchill]

8. For some reason, it occurs to me that...

... Republicans are why we can't have nice things. Like survivable health care debt - among many other things, of course.

[Wicked Blue]

9. Repubs, oligarchs, big corporations

They're all in it together

[dchill]

11. Yes, and they're all small-d (d) dicks...

...and big-A autocrats.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. I love my Governor

He never forgot where he came from.

[ShazzieB]

14. This is wonderful news. However...

How sad and maddening is it that such a thing is necessary in this country, unlike...oh, every other industrialized nation on the planet?

[AllyCat]

15. Now THIS is some good governance!

Well done and congratulations to the residents benefiting!

[LizVerite]

16. Hooray!

It is great to get some GOOD news.

[Dave Bowman]

19. That's amazing!

[liberalla]

20. Impressive! Way to go Guv!

[Fil1957]

21. I expect a lawsuit from Trump or Congress to stop this very soon.

After all, they hate anything that benefits those that are not super wealthy.

[zorbasd]

22. Hurry, before the Supreme Court declares it

Unconstitutional, for actually helping people.
We can't have that .......

[Fla Dem]

23. Wow, that does my heart good. SO glad for the New Jersians who will benefit.

[electric_blue68]

24. Great news! TY, Neighbor Governor!

I was just in NJ yesterday for family Easter get together.

(I think they are free from/of that)

[Wednesdays]

25. But...but...but...I paid off all MY medical debts! So why should THEY get a handout?

Isn't that how it goes with student loans?


And, if it isn't already obvious...

[AllaN01Bear]

28. ""