Michigan Church Helps Pay Off $1.8 Million In Medical Debts

WYOMING (CBS DETROIT/AP) — A church in western Michigan has helped pay off the medical debts of more than 2,000 families.

Grand Rapids First church in the Grand Rapids-area community of Wyoming is helping to pay off more than $1.8 million in medical debt for families. The church is working with Rye, New York-based nonprofit RIP Medical Debt on the effort. Nearly 1,900 randomly selected families from Kent, Ottawa, Allegan and Ionia counties are getting letters informing them that the debts are being paid off.

Those involved in the effort say a donation of $15,000 from the church is allowing RIP to purchase the debt.

RIP acquires packages of overdue charges for a fraction of their value and forgives them. It's worked with other organizations, including the Michigan Nurses Associationand an Indiana church , to clear medical debts.

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