Pittsburgh City Council has voted to set aside funds from the American Rescue Plan to help thousands of people settle their medical bills for their 2023 budget.
Council is directing $1 million in next year's budget for a partnership with a nonprofit known as RIP Medical Debt, who is based in New York.
The nonprofit handles unpaid bills referred to collection bureaus, buying the debt for pennies on the dollar.
A report in the Post-Gazette estimates $1 million from the city could be used to eliminate $115 million in past due medical bills for as many as 24,000 city residents who qualify.
Councilmembers Theresa Kail-Smith and Bruce Kraus voted against the measure. Council's final vote on the city budget is expected Monday.
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