Rhode Island Launces Medical Debt Initiative

An average of 5.2 percent of Rhode Island adults report having medical debt in a given year, reports the Boston Globe. To address this issue, the state is launching a medical debt cancellation program, purchasing debt from providers and collectors to relieve residents with income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or with debt exceeding 5% of income. Cancellation will occur automatically, with no need for impacted individuals to apply.