Stacey Abrams group donates $1.34M to wipe out medical debts

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JEFF AMY

ATLANTA (AP) — The political organization led by Democratic titan Stacey Abrams is branching out into paying off medical debts.

The Fair Fight Political Action Committee on Wednesday told The Associated Press it has donated $1.34 million from its political action committee to the nonprofit organization RIP Medical Debt to wipe out debt with a face value of $212 million that is owed by 108,000 people in Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Lauren Groh-Wargo CEO of allied group Fair Fight Action and senior adviser to the PAC said paying off medical debt is another facet of the group’s advocacy seeking expansion of Medicaid coverage in the 12 states that have refused to expand the health insurance to all poorer adults.

“What is so important about this is the tie between Medicaid expansion and just crushing medical debt,” Groh-Wargo said.



FILE - Stacey Abrams speaks during a church service in Norfolk, Va., Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. A political organization led by the Democratic titan is branching out into paying off medical debts. Fair Fight Action on Wednesday, Oct. 27 told The Associated Press that it is donating $1.34 million from its political action committee to wipe out debt owed by 108,000 people in Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/health-alabama-georgia-philanthropy-stacey-abrams-3395744e46ed8da6eea80f4164284435

[SheltieLover]

1. Stacey is a national treasure!

[IronLionZion]

2. I haven't heard of RIP, sounds like a good group

doing things similar to Rolling Jubilee, Strike Debt, and the John Oliver one

https://ripmedicaldebt.org/

[OneCrazyDiamond]

3. If the donations are for free and fair elections,

is it legal to pay off medical bills with the money?

[Mawspam2]

8. If $1.34 million can wipe out $212 million...

...are you going to object?

While it doesn't go directly to GOTV efforts, it certainly buys a lot of goodwill and may lead to increased offsetting donations.

Yes, going forward, the two missions should be separately accounted for.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

9. I don't object, but a QOP prosecutor might.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. Stacy Abrams is such a good person in so many different ways

This is a mitzvah

[iluvtennis]

5. Love it!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. 108,000 people will get medical debt relief after Stacey Abrams' PAC gifts $1.34M

Link to tweet

[calimary]

7. She's an angel in our midst.