An Indiana church has helped free 5,940 families from medical debts within the state.
Northview Church joined forces with RIP Medical Debt, a New York based organization focused on assisting families struggling with repayments for medical expenses, and managed to leverage around $40,000 to pay off outstanding bills.
According to Fox12, RIP Medical Debt negotiates with hospitals, doctors, and even investors to purchase debt for a fraction of the principle amount.
A statement claimed, “The debt is then paid off forever, with no adverse consequences to those who benefit.”
The Northview Church blog announced:
The Northview Church congregation of more than 10,000 people learned about the updated numbers for medical debt elimination for an estimated 5,940 families in their communities. Northview Church, a church with locations throughout Central Indiana, is paying off a total of $7.8 million in medical debt for approximately 5,940 families who live in the 10 communities where Northview Church sites are located. These communities include, Indianapolis, Anderson, Carmel, Fishers, Flora, Kokomo, Lafayette, northern Putnam County, Peru and Westfield.
In June 2019, the church originally announced they were abolishing $2 million in medical debt for 2,500 families in these communities. Since then, an additional $20,000 in donations came in from Northview attenders who wanted to continue the movement. Those recent donations have more than doubled the effect on these communities – in some cases, wiping out medical debt for entire cities.
“This is a great example of churches meeting people’s needs in practical ways as a demonstration of God’s love,” Northview’s Senior Pastor, Steve Poe, remarked.
Some families, who weren’t previously with associated Northview, were pleasantly surprised to learn that their medical debts had been taken care of thanks to the generosity of the church, RIP Medical Debt charity, and donors.
