Connecticut to Become First State to Cancel Medical Debt, Governor Says

Eligible residents include families whose medical debt represents 5 percent or more of their annual income, the state says.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont speaks during a visit to a vaccination clinic in Stamford, Conn., on March 14, 2021. John Moore/Getty Images

Connecticut plans to eliminate medical debt for all eligible residents this year, making it the first state to offer such a relief program, Gov. Ned Lamont said in an interview on Friday.

Mr. Lamont unveiled the plan during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” which will include using $6.5 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to erase $1 billion in medical debt.