![](https://forcechange.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Medicine-by-Pixabay-310x207.jpg)
Target: Joe Biden, President of the United States
Goal: Celebrate wins in prescription drug pricing and medical debt relief.
Medical debt is an increasing strain on the lives of millions of Americans. On average, the nation spends upwards of four billion dollars on healthcare. Over 80 percent of these expenditures are for personal healthcare. The impact of these debts on the average American is apparent on several levels. For example, this ForceChange petition highlighted the burden of soaring prescription drug prices. But leaders are beginning to make important strides and commitments to alleviate these burdens.
The Biden administration recently brought attention to its new Medicare initiative that will enable negotiation of lower prescription drug prices on common products like insulin. The initiative, which is expected to go into effect in 2026, will save estimated billions of dollars for patients who desperately need these pharmaceuticals. In addition, the administration has unveiled a proposal that would prohibit medical debt from showing up on credit scores. This move would help boost the financial standing of countless Americans. Further, lenders could no longer repossess needed medical devices such as wheelchairs in the event a loan goes unpaid. And in an even more consequential effort, proposals have been put forward that would forgive medical debt on a wider scale, much like current student loan forgiveness initiatives.
Sign the petition below to support these important efforts to make healthcare more efficient and affordable for consumers.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Biden,
Medicare enrollees are poised to save one-and-a-half billion dollars after new prescription prices go into effect. If the prohibition of medical debt from credit decisions also goes forward, consumers will have another major roadblock eased. Add the potential for a broader medical debt forgiveness plan, and patients will see a day when they are not penalized and punished for their health.
Thank you for all of these efforts to make American healthcare a benefit rather than a burden.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
127 Signatures