Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says state will be first to cancel medical debt for all eligible residents

Connecticut will cancel medical debt for all eligible residents, its governor announced on Friday, making it the first state to do so.

Gov. Ned Lamont said during an appearance on “Good Morning America” that the state would erase medical debt for thousands of residents who qualify under a new initiative that intends to help lift people from an often tremendous financial burden.

“This is not something they did where they were spending too much money. This is because they got hit with a medical emergency, and they should not have to suffer twice: first for the illness, then with the debt,” Lamont said.

Eligible residents will not have to apply for the relief as the state will work directly with a contracted agency to eliminate medical debts.