El-Sayed Campaign Raises Thousands for Medical Debt Relief in Northern Michigan

U.S. Senate candidate boosts local organizers’ efforts to cancel medical debt in Michigan’s GOP-held CD1

ANN ARBOR, MI – In a bold break from political convention, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed announced today that his campaign raised over $3,600 in support of a medical debt relief initiative led by Keweenaw Indivisible, a grassroots group in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With Abdul’s help, the fundraiser has now brought in more than $23,500 in total, blowing past its original $15,000 goal and canceling over $2 million in medical debt for over 1,300 families in Michigan’s first congressional district. 

This isn’t the first time Abdul has relieved the burden of medical debt for Michiganders. As Director of Health, Human and Veterans Services in Wayne County, Michigan’s largest and most diverse county, Abdul spearheaded a similar program that is set to eliminate $700 million in medical debt for more than 300,000 residents. He testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions about the effort. 

Michigan’s CD1, which includes the entire Upper Peninsula and parts of the Northern Lower Peninsula, is currently represented by Congressman Jack Bergman, who recently voted in favor of Trump’s disastrous budget bill. In the absence of federal leadership, Keweenaw Indivisible brought the community together to crowd-fund for their neighbors drowning in medical debt. 


“Efforts like this fundraiser have done a lot to keep people talking about the inhumane burden of medical expenses in the US,” said a representative from Keweenaw Indivisible. “In addition to our family and friends losing their health coverage as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill, those with health insurance will face higher costs to receive care when so many are already struggling to make ends meet. The need for real healthcare reform – universal coverage – is urgent. Part of Keweenaw Indivisible’s mission is to support those most harmed by regressive political agendas. This fundraiser helps us meet that mission.”

“On this campaign, we live out our values. I’m running to eliminate all medical debt and to pass Medicare for All–so when Keweenaw Indivisible reached out for support with their effort to eliminate medical debt in Northern Michigan, we were eager to participate. I’m grateful to everyone who supported the effort.” said Abdul. “In the richest country in the world, nobody should be drowning in debt because they got sick. We’ll step up when politicians like Jack Bergman or Mike Rogers won’t. No one should have to crowdfund people’s survival.”

Keweenaw Indivisible is still accepting donations towards this effort. Excess funds will be allocated to medical debt relief efforts across the state of Michigan. 

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