Southwest Allegheny News

Rep. Andrew Kuzma, along with several other Pennsylvania legislators, has introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating medical debt for low-income residents in the state. The proposed Pennsylvania Medical Debt Relief Program seeks to ease financial burdens on individuals and health care providers, particularly in rural areas where unpaid debts are common.

The legislation also aims to enhance transparency in hospital charity care programs and assist individuals in applying for such aid to prevent new debts from accumulating.

Rep. Kuzma expressed his support for the initiative: “I am always supportive of innovative ways to benefit the lives of Pennsylvanians. I find Rep. Venkat’s proposal intriguing, and I commend him for his efforts in being on the forefront to address this issue.”

Rep. Arvind Venkat emphasized the need for such measures: “Medical debt has been dubbed a ‘uniquely American problem,’ so it’s my hope that our bill will help provide relief to as many Pennsylvanians as possible. I’m proud to partner with bipartisan colleagues on this legislation that reduces the burden of affording medical care and allows families to put more food on the table.”

Nate Davidson highlighted the impact of medical debt: “This legislation is more than just a policy – it's a lifeline that restores dignity, empowers families, and ensures that health does not come at the cost of hardship. I’m proud to sponsor this bipartisan measure so that vulnerable Pennsylvanians can focus on their financial futures without medical debt.”

Tarik Khan pointed out how high costs affect patient behavior: “As a nurse, I’ve seen patients suffer and neglect care due to high health care costs. Medical debt leads many to avoid preventative care or skip out on addressing health care issues when they are still treatable.”

Bridget M. Kosierowski shared her personal experience: “When my son was diagnosed with childhood leukemia, the last thing I wanted to worry about was the stress of medical costs. No family in Pennsylvania should ever need to think twice before seeking care for chronic or other serious conditions for fear of going into medical debt.”

Jim Rigby reiterated his commitment: “I voted for this legislation last session and am going a step further this session in cosponsoring it as a show of bipartisan support. The burden that debt from medical bills can place on our most vulnerable citizens is not exclusive to Republicans or Democrats, and I’m looking forward to working with Representative Venkat to address this critical issue.”

Tim Twardzik concluded by emphasizing societal benefits: “Investing in medical debt relief is a compassionate and practical approach to supporting individuals while fostering a healthier, more resilient society.”

A similar initiative was undertaken by Pittsburgh's city council which invested $1 million resulting in discharging $115 million worth of healthcare debt for 24,000 residents.

The legislative effort covers several townships and boroughs within Allegheny County and Washington County.