KUAR | By Roby Brock / Talk Business & Politics

Last month, a broad coalition of Arkansas nonprofits and donors coordinated the elimination of $35 million in medical debt for over 23,000 Arkansans. Leaders from two of the organizing groups say there is still much work to be done in this area and they hope to advance public policies addressing systemic challenges to lower-income citizens who encounter medical emergencies.

Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and Abby Hughes Holsclaw, senior director for Arkansas Asset Funders Network, say that medical debt can derail the financial stability of asset-limited, income-constrained, employed (ALICE) workers. ALICE workers have jobs, but they are typically lower paying and don’t always offer benefits. A $1,500 (or higher) medical bill can result in financial challenges related to their jobs, child care, transportation or other health concerns.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-02-07/arkansas-coalition-that-eliminated-medical-debt-now-working-on-new-measures

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Nearly 24,000 Arkansans in all 75 counties have had their outstanding medical bills paid off thanks to a coalition of nonprofits seeking to raise awareness of the negative impacts of debt.

The $35.2 million debt erasure was made possible by donors including the Arkansas Community Foundation, the Hope Credit Union and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

Heather Larkin, president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation, says the average debt erased was $1,500.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-01-27/arkansas-groups-erase-millions-in-medical-debt

Arkansas coalition that eliminated medical debt now working on new measures

Arkansas groups erase millions in medical debt