NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Jaclyn Jones is part of a growing statistic of Americans, she has health insurance but is still thousands of dollars in medical debt.
The 54-year-old has a full time job, she also takes care of her aging elderly father. Every day when she checks the mail she finds medical bills for both herself and her dad.
"They hit you hard. And you think, 'Will I ever get out of this medical situation?'" she said.
Recently though Jaclyn Jones got a welcome surprise in the mail. A yellow envelope from the non-profit RIP Medical Debt. Thanks to a $15,000 donation, Jaclyn had nearly $300 in medical bills paid off.
It's all possible in part because of a lopsided medical debt system where creditors buy and sell debt like Jaclyn's for pennies on the dollar. That made it possible for NewsChannel 5 to pay off $1.8 million in debt with just a $15,000 donation.
"I am just grateful to God it happened, it's at least a start."
If you'd like to donate to "Medical Debt Rescue," click here. Every $10 helps us eliminate $1,000 in medical debt for residents across Middle Tennessee.
