The Problem: In the past forty years, medical costs have doubled, insurance copays and deductibles have spiked, and bankruptcy rates have quadrupled creating an avalanche of destructive medical debt.

More than 60% of bankruptcies in America have medical debt as a root cause, and the situation is especially dire in Arizona.

A 2011 study found that in Arizona, people with medical debt delay or forego healthcare, leading to a cycle of worse health and mounting medical debt.

A trip to historic Tombstone demonstrates Arizona's recent history as the last territory of the American frontier. Arizonans still demonstrate the spirit of independence and ambition required to build both ancient culture and contemporary lifestyles in the scenic Sonoran Desert and around the Grand Canyon. That's why the medical debt crisis is especially tragic in Arizona. Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans are shackled by medical debt. It restricts their freedom with garnished wages and poor credit. A low credit score can deny someone a loan, an apartment, or even a job. The financial effects of one trip to the hospital can hold someone back their entire life, restricting them from ever reaching their full potential. 

RIP’s Solution: RIP Medical Debt uses your donations to purchase bundled medical debt portfolios on the secondary debt market, and then forgives that debt at pennies on the dollar. 

On average, $1 is leveraged to abolish $100 in medical debt, and every donation through this page will be spent directly on abolishing medical debt in Arizona.

When debt relief recipients open the yellow envelope from RIP, they are told that their debt has been bought by a third party and erased with no strings attached. They owe nothing on the debt and face no tax penalty. A recent beneficiary wrote to us, saying:

"I read my letter over a few times to make sure it was the real thing. Receiving this debt relief renewed my faith that I can get back on track. It jump-started it – that we can do this – I can get back in the game! It's unheard of what RIP does, and it's a game changer in the medical world. It's a game changer for me.” 
    — Reagan, RIP Medical Debt Recipient of Debt Relief

Join the movement to abolish $1 billion in medical debt by 2020: Every dollar you contribute is a $100 investment in Arizonan towns and cities. Money will stay in the community instead of being taken by out-of-state debt collectors. On average, $22.04 can abolish the medical debt of an entire family in Arizona, allowing them to invest in a home, schooling, or retirement.

Who We Are: RIP Medical Debt is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that locates, buys, and forgives medical debt. We empower donors to relieve oppressive medical debt in their community for individuals who are below twice the federal poverty line, have debts greater than their assets, or have debts greater than 5% of their annual income.

RIP Medical Debt is unique in its expertise but needs continued support from generous donors. Compassion drives the work of RIP Medical Debt and every dollar is highly leveraged with a ROI of 100:1. Let’s abolish medical debt in Arizona together. For good.

Please see the rest of the FAQ below and visit www.ripmedicaldebt.org for more information. 

Facts about Medical Debt

• More than $100 billion in unpaid medical debt every year adversely impacts debtor patients, physicians, and hospitals.
• 6 in 10 of both insured and uninsured people say they have difficulty in paying other bills as a result of medical debt. Over a third were unable to pay for food, heat, or housing because of medical bills.
• Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults under age 65, or 116 million people, had medical bill problems or debt, went without needed care because of cost, were uninsured for a time, or were underinsured—insured but had high out-of-pocket medical expenses or deductibles relative to income.
• Medical debt contributes to more than 60% of the bankruptcies in the US. Until satisfied, debt lingers on a person’s credit report, negatively impacting their ability to buy a home, get a loan, or even gain employment.

Whose unpayable medical bills does RIP forgive?

• Individuals who make less than 2 times the federal poverty level.
• Individuals who face financial hardship—owe debt that is 5% or more of their annual income.
• Individuals who are insolvent—have debts greater than their assets.

Why donate to RIP Medical Debt?

• Your dollar goes a long way! On average, $1 abolishes $100 of debt.
• 100 percent of your donation through this form goes towards abolishing medical debt in Arizona.
• RIP Medical Debt is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and our EIN number is 47-1442997. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
• There are no tax consequences for those whose medical debts are forgiven. The forgiveness is a gift from a detached and disinterested third party (RIP Medical Debt), so forgiveness of the debt does not count as income for the gift recipient.

RIP Medical Debt's Federal Tax ID: 47-1442997

You can donate or register to fundraise using the buttons below!