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More than a quarter-million Californians will have their medical debt abolished
By Cato Hernández at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
Paramedics take a patient to a hospital on April 12, 2020 in downtown Los Angeles , California.(Apu Gomes / AFP via Getty Images)Topline:Over 261,000 Californians will have medical debt erased, according to nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. That totals more than $550 million in medical bills, thanks t...
Key takeaway (Apu Gomes / AFP via Getty Images)Topline:Over 261,000 Californians will have medical debt erased, according to nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The abolition of over $550 million in medical debt for more than 261,000 Californians will have a significant impact on local communities, particularly in Southern California where about half of the relief is concentrated. In Los Angeles County, over 17,000 people will benefit from $26.8 million in debt relief, which can help alleviate financial burdens and allow individuals to focus on their health and well-being. This effort by Undue Medical Debt, made possible by a gift from Evan Spiegel and Miranda Kerr, highlights the need for continued support and resources to address medical debt in the region. As letters notifying selected individuals of debt relief begin to arrive in mid-July, local residents can expect a sense of relief and renewed financial stability for many families. The effects of this debt abolition will likely be felt in various aspects of community life, from improved economic stability to enhanced overall quality of life.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? Paramedics take a patient to a hospital on April 12, 2020 in downtown Los Angeles, California.(Apu Gomes / AFP via Getty Images)Topline:Over 261,000 Californians will have medical debt erased, according to nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. That totals more than $550 million in medical bills, thanks t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cato Hernández at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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