Latest news with #AllisonSesso
CBS News
28-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
More than 40,000 people in Pittsburgh had their medical debt erased. Here's who qualified.
More than 40,000 people in Pittsburgh will soon learn their medical debt has been erased. Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson said more than 43,000 Pittsburgh residents have had $58 million in medical debt cleared thanks to the city's partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a non-profit organization in Boston that works to end medical debt. The organization said it has helped relieve more than $20.3 billion in medical debt. Wilson said in a news release on Monday that "this milestone" comes after legislation that authorized Pittsburgh to contract with Undue Medical Debt to identify and erase qualifying medical debt held by city residents. "I'm thrilled to partner with the City of Pittsburgh on this transformative medical debt relief initiative that will bring much-needed good news to thousands of residents," Undue Medical Debt President and CEO Allison Sesso said in Wilson's news release. "Medical debt is both a financial and emotional burden that forces families to make difficult decisions and often prevents patients from getting the care they need." To qualify, Pittsburgh residents had to have a household income no higher than 400% of the federal poverty level or have medical debt equal to 5% of their annual income. There was no application process, as qualified residents were found through hospitals, health care providers and debt collectors. Pittsburghers will begin getting letters with details this week. "No one should be burdened simply because they got sick. Relieving this debt will have a significant impact on the lives of many Pittsburghers," Wilson said in the news release.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Allison Sesso
Credit - Kristin Karkoska Every year, tens of thousands of Americans get sick or die for the crime of being unable to afford medical coverage, and over 100 million currently struggle with medical debt. Allison Sesso runs one of the only organizations that effectively address this crisis: Undue Medical Debt buys medical debt for pennies on the dollar, then does something unheard of: forgives it. I know—what a concept! As of 2024, the organization had forgiven more than $14 billion in debt, relieving over 9 million people of that burden. It's now partnering with local and state governments across the U.S. to make an even greater impact. Allison's organization not only commits a stunning act of generosity, it also brings attention and awareness to a system we created, and can just as easily undo. In an era of lip service to making a better world, her work actually takes steps toward bringing that world into being. Conover is a writer and comedian Contact us at letters@
