A Cancer Patient’s Legacy: Eradicating Millions in Medical Debts After Her Demise

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A woman from New York City, who succumbed to cancer last Sunday, has made a significant impact posthumously by raising funds sufficient to clear millions in medical debts.

Before her death, Casey McIntyre communicated through a social media post, shared by her husband, her intention to purchase and forgive others’ medical debts, as a tribute to her own life.

On a platform once known as Twitter, McIntyre’s message stated, “if you’re reading this, my journey has ended.”

She expressed in her message, “My love for each one of you was immense, and I always felt the depth of your love for me,” shared the 38-year-old. This heartfelt note was accompanied by a link to a fundraising initiative she set up with the non-profit organization RIP Medical Debt.

Her husband, Andrew Rose Gregory, disseminated these messages on Tuesday, and the response was overwhelming. The campaign surged beyond its initial $20,000 target, amassing approximately $140,000 by Friday, which translates to about $14 million in medical debt relief.

Gregory reflected on their experience, acknowledging the excellent care and insurance coverage they had at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Yet, they encountered some daunting charges. This realization led them to contemplate, “What if, instead of seeking a cure for cancer, we focus on aiding those overwhelmed by medical debt?”

In the U.S. healthcare landscape, even insured patients can find themselves burdened by substantial medical expenses, particularly those needing consistent treatment or medication for chronic conditions.

A study in 2022 by the nonprofit KFF, analyzing government data, revealed that nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults have medical debts of at least $250, totaling around 23 million people, including 11 million owing over $2,000.

RIP Medical Debt specializes in acquiring debts from healthcare providers and secondary markets, often at a fraction of their original value. The organization notes that each dollar donated can offset approximately $100 in debt, focusing on aiding those with lower incomes. Daniel Lempert, a spokesperson for the organization, highlighted the uniqueness of McIntyre’s campaign, being the first planned for initiation post-mortem.

McIntyre, a book publisher by profession, began her battle with ovarian cancer in 2019. According to her husband, she spent a significant portion of the past year in the hospital.

The couple, residents of Brooklyn, initiated plans for her memorial and the debt-relief campaign following a life-threatening episode in May. Their inspiration came from a video showcasing a North Carolina church congregation eliminating about $3 million in medical debt.

In her final months, McIntyre, under home hospice care, cherished a “bonus summer,” enjoying beach outings and family time, including moments with their 18-month-old daughter, Grace.

“Casey, in her final days, had unfulfilled wishes,” Gregory shared. “But I knew her desire to realize this memorial and debt jubilee. So, I arranged it as she would have preferred.”

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Note: The Health and Science Department of The Big Big News is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP maintains full editorial control over the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Medical Debt Forgiveness

More about Medical Debt Forgiveness

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• RIP Medical Debt
• Cancer Treatment and Financial Strain
• U.S. Healthcare Costs
• Nonprofit KFF Medical Debt Study
• Health Insurance in the United States
• Ovarian Cancer Awareness and Treatment Options
• Managing Chronic Health Conditions
• The Impact of Medical Debt on American Families