by | Published
San Antonio District 9 Councilmember John Courage announced today a groundbreaking partnership between the City of San Antonio and Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit, to eliminate approximately $60 million in burdensome medical debt for around 45,000 San Antonio residents.
Councilmember Courage highlighted the severity of the issue in San Antonio, noting that Texas leads the nation in medical debt among large counties, and Bexar County ranks third highest with 20.9% of residents carrying such debt. He emphasized the far-reaching negative impacts of medical debt on financial and mental health, housing stability, and access to future healthcare.
“San Antonio has one of the highest rates of uninsured and underinsured residents in the Country. The state’s refusal to expand Medicaid only exacerbates the problem,” said Councilmember Courage. “This program is about giving people relief—and restoring dignity.”
The initiative is supported by a $115,000 allocation from Councilmember Courage’s District 9 discretionary fund, approved by the City Council in the 2025 Budget. Undue Medical Debt’s ability to purchase bundled medical debt portfolios at significantly reduced rates means this relatively small investment will erase a substantial amount of debt. This partnership marks the first time Undue Medical Debt has collaborated with a government agency in Texas.
Undue Medical Debt will identify and acquire qualifying medical debt from local providers and the secondary market belonging to San Antonio residents. Relief eligibility is based on income (at or below 400% of the federal poverty level) or if medical debt amounts to 5% or more of annual income. There is no application process for residents; relief is source-based, applying to qualifying debts acquired through the partnership. Letters informing affected patients of their debt relief will be sent in Undue Medical Debt branded envelopes in the coming weeks.
“Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, and so many families are one illness or emergency room visit away from financial ruin,” added Councilmember Courage. “We can’t fix the whole system overnight—but we can bring immediate relief to thousands of San Antonians.”
