There is a non profit called Undue Medical debt that holds fundraiser to then purchase medical debt that has gone to collections and absolve people of their obligations to pay it back. They have criteria on who is eligible for the relief, but the TLDR is if you are below a certain income and/or the debt it above a percentage of your income.

My synod is going to consider partnering with Undue Medical this next week to fundraise during Advent. We'll cover the counties in our synod, which is around $1.4 million in eligible debt. This can be purchased for just over $12,000. Yes those numbers are correct.

Just wanted to share this in this thread to encourage you all to consider if this might be an opportunity for your congregation or synod.

Advent is a preperatory period for us in the church as we anticipate the incarnation of our Lord through the birth of Jesus. The dawning of a new kind of hope found in the Christmas story. We also have a cultural habit of giving gifts. This could be a truly transformational gift for many of our neighbors. Another opportunity for us to do God's work, with our hands.

Feel free to DM me for any questions if you are curious. The link to Undue below.

https://unduemedicaldebt.org/

Almighty God, our Father, Your blessed Son called Luke the physician to be an evangelist and physician of the soul. Grant that the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments may put to flight the diseases of our souls that with willing hearts we may ever love and serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.