AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said the city has erased medical debt for nearly 17,000 Akron residents through a partnership with national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.
The debt erased totaled just under $20 million in debt relief.
“Medical debt can weigh heavily on families, affecting their health, their finances and their peace of mind,” said Malik in a news release. “By working together with Undue Medical Debt, we’ve lifted a major burden for thousands of Akronites. This debt relief will have an immediate positive impact on our residents’ lives. I want to thank the members of Akron City Council and especially former Ward 1 Councilwoman Nancy Holland, who helped spearhead this initiative with two medical students at Northeast Ohio Medical University, Max Brockwell and Emily Huff. Their passion really pushed this project forward, and I’m grateful for their work.”…