Snapchat CEO and wife erase medical debt for thousands of Californians see if youre eligible

Hundreds of thousands of Californians are about to get an unexpected financial lifeline after Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel and his wife, supermodel Miranda Kerr, helped erase a staggering $550 million in medical debt.The couple made a multimillion-dollar donation to Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that purchases unpaid medical bills in bulk from hospitals, physician groups and collection agencies at a steep discount before canceling the debt for qualifying patients.Beginning in mid-July, more than 261,000 Californians whose balances were eliminated will reportedly receive letters notifying them that their medical debt has been forgiven.“When someone you love is sick, all you want to do is focus on helping them get better,” Kerr, founder of skincare company KORA Organics, said in a video with Spiegel.“That’s why we wanted to support this effort and help relieve medical debt, so families can focus on caring for their loved ones and really supporting their healing.”The nonprofit and the couple did not reveal the size of the donation, but Undue Medical Debt says every $10 donated typically eliminates about $1,000 in medical debt because it buys bundled debt portfolios for pennies on the dollar.People cannot apply for the program because the organization acquires large batches of debt at once.Those whose balances are forgiven either earn at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or have medical debt exceeding 5% of their annual income, according to the nonprofit.The relief comes as many Americans continue to grapple with rising healthcare bills and the high cost of living.California remains one of the nation’s most expensive states, with soaring housing and energy costs fueling broader debates over wealth inequality and the role of billionaires in addressing financial hardship.Undue Medical Debt President and CEO Allison Sesso said one in four adults in the United States currently carries medical debt.“It’s a growing crisis undermining healthcare access...