In this episode of Design and Religion – Look for the Helpers, Van Sedita and Pastor Nate Phillips speak with Michelle Santoro, Associate Director of Philanthropy at Undue Medical Debt, about a quiet but powerful movement working to eliminate medical debt across the United States.
Undue Medical Debt purchases large bundles of unpaid medical debt from hospitals and debt collectors—often for pennies on the dollar—and then abolishes it entirely for those who qualify. The organization targets people whose medical debt is overwhelming relative to their income or who live near the poverty line. Once the debt is purchased, it disappears: credit damage is removed, legal threats stop, and families receive a letter informing them that their debt has been forgiven as a gift from donors and community partners.
The conversation explores how medical debt works behind the scenes. Many Americans assume it only affects the uninsured, yet Michelle explains that underinsurance, high deductibles, and billing complexity often push middle-class families into debt as well. Even people with insurance can face massive bills after a single health event.
Van frames the issue through a moral and systemic lens, noting how medical billing can feel unjust when patients are charged extreme prices for basic treatments. Michelle describes how Undue’s work focuses on restoring dignity rather than assigning blame. Their goal is not simply to eliminate existing debt but to eventually make their own organization unnecessary by ending medical debt altogether.
The episode highlights how faith communities have become key partners in this work. Churches, donors, and local campaigns raise funds that Undue uses to abolish debt within specific counties. Because debt can often be purchased cheaply on the secondary market, a relatively small donation can eliminate a much larger amount of debt—often around $100 for every $1 donated.
Beyond the financial impact, the human consequences are profound. Michelle shares that many recipients report feeling free to return to doctors and seek treatment again after years of avoiding care out of fear of accumulating more debt.
The conversation closes with a simple call to action: share the story, support campaigns, and help build communities that actively care for their most vulnerable neighbors.
Reach out to Michelle Santoro to start your own Undue campaign! Michelle Santoro michelle.santoro@unduemedicaldebt.org
https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/
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We envision a world where design and religion work together to spread love, empathy, and charity faster than divisiveness, selfishness, and hate. To achieve this, we aim to bring the stories of those driving this change—both big and small—into the spotlight, allowing ideas for positive transformation to spread quickly and reach those who need them most.
Nate is the Head Pastor at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church https://rccpc.org/
Van is a Service Designer and Illustrator, and his work can be found at https://www.vansheacreative.com/
