Xiong Celebrates $144 Million in Medical Debt Relief for Michiganders

Over 20,000 Macomb County residents to see $13.5 million in direct relief

WARREN, Mich., July 21, 2025 — State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) to announce $144 million in medical debt relief for 210,000 Michiganders, including $13.5 million in relief for 20,756 eligible residents of Macomb County. A $4.5 million appropriation in the 2024-25 budget made this relief possible in partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit that buys and forgives medical debt with no strings attached.

“One emergency trip to the hospital or a sudden diagnosis should never determine the future of a family’s financial security. Medical debt can feel impossible to escape — and hardworking Michiganders deserve to receive the care they need without worrying about debilitating debt,” Xiong said. “This investment in last year’s budget is a first step to getting direct medical debt relief to families in Macomb County and across the state. I will continue to tackle the health care affordability problem in our state head-on.”

In order to be eligible for medical debt relief, Macomb County residents must be either at or below four times the federal poverty level or have medical debts that equal 5% or more of their annual income. These individuals will receive an official Undue Medical Debt letter in the mail in July to confirm their forgiven balances, with no action required on their part.

“At a time when federal cuts and court rulings are pressuring our most vulnerable families, Michigan Democrats continue to step up,” Xiong continued. “We’re fighting for smart budget decisions to ensure no person is forced to avoid care because of debt. Health care is a necessity for all — we need a system that reflects that. I support and look forward to voting on a budget that will continue this program”

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