Approximately 785,000 residents — one in ten adults in Los Angeles County — are burdened by medical debt, often forcing families to make impossible choices between healthcare and basic necessities. To address this growing crisis, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched the Los Angeles County Medical Debt Relief Program, which aims to erase the medical debt of thousands of Angelenos.
In its initial phase, the program will eliminate $500 million in medical debt, funded by a $5 million investment resulting from a motion introduced by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell. This funding enables the county to purchase medical debt at a fraction of its original cost, focusing on low-income residents.
“No one should have to go into poverty to get the health care they need, and yet that’s exactly what’s happening,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn in a statement. “Medical debt is crushing families across our communities.”
The program is part of a broader effort by the Medical Debt Coalition, which aims to eliminate $2 billion in medical debt for Los Angeles County residents. Contributions from philanthropic partners, health plans, and hospitals are crucial to achieving this ambitious goal. Notable support includes a $2 million contribution from L.A. Care Health Plan for debt relief and prevention tools, as well as a $1 million donation from the Los Angeles County Medical Association.
Participating hospitals, including MLK Community Hospital and Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital, are collaborating with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to retire qualifying debts and close accounts. The program targets county residents with past-due medical bills.
Who qualifies for medical debt relief in L.A. County?
Eligible medical debts include overdue bills owed by Los Angeles County residents earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level. No action is required — qualifying residents will be notified directly about their debt forgiveness.
In 2022, medical debt in Los Angeles County exceeded $2.9 billion, up $300 million from the previous year. This financial burden disproportionately affects families with children, low-income households, and communities of color. Medical debt exacerbates health inequities and often delays or prevents essential care — worsening physical and mental health challenges. Even insured individuals face financial strain due to high out-of-pocket costs.
By alleviating the burden of medical debt, this initiative offers hope for those in need and represents a critical step toward health equity in Los Angeles County.
For more information and additional resources, you can visit: publichealth.lacounty.gov/hccp/medicalDebt