Columbus city legislators and the Central Ohio Hospital Council are piloting a debt forgiveness program that will forgive $335 million worth of medical debt for area residents.
The partnership will provide debt forgiveness for Columbus residents who were treated at any of the four area hospital systems between 2015 and 2020, according to an Oct. 16 news release from the city.
"Medical debt is an insidious problem — impacting both the insured and uninsured alike," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said in the release. "No one should have to face the prospect of financial hardship because they sought care when they needed it most. Forgiving this debt will go a long way toward helping our fellow neighbors rebuild their savings, pay off their bills, qualify for a loan, make a down payment on a car or support our local businesses."