First Presbyterian Church of Columbus Abolishes $1.78 Million in Medical Debt for Hoosier Families

First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, with the help of a generous church family’s donation, partnered with Undue Medical Debt to purchase and abolish just over $1.78 million in medical debt for 1,488 individuals across south-central Indiana. $1.03 million was relieved for 916 people in Bartholomew County, $237,000 was relieved for 225 people in Brown County, and $507,000 was relieved for 347 people in Jackson County. The initiative  was inspired by a family in the church’s congregation who wish to remain anonymous. Other members also added to that initial first gift. These donations when multiplied through Undue Medical Debt’s model converts every $1 contributed into and average of $100 in debt relief. Individuals whose debt is being abolished will soon receive letters directly from Undue Medical Debt. These letters are NOT a scam. They carry good news that their debt has been paid off and the debt has been removed from their records.
First Presbyterian Church has an additional $10,000 in donated funds reserved for when the next Undue Medical Debt purchase becomes available. Church leaders hope their example will inspire other faith communities and nonprofit organizations to consider how they too might be able to help local families struggling with medical debt.