# John Oliver bought $15 million in medical debt for $60,000, then erased bills for 9,000 people

- Source: Times of India
- Published: 2026-10-18T20:30:58+00:00
- Category: World
- Original: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/john-olivers-show-bought-nearly-15-million-in-medical-debt-for-60000-in-2016-instead-of-collecting-it-from-around-9000-people-it-worked-with-a-charity-to-wipe-their-outstanding-bills/articleshow/135035055.cms
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/john-oliver-bought-15-million-in-medical-debt-for-60-000-then-erased-b-a57cb9/

In June 2016, John Oliver's show made headlines by acquiring nearly $15 million of unpaid medical debt for only $60,000. This debt was funneled through a newly established company aimed at giving it away. Rather than pursuing payments, the debt was assigned to a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating medical debt, drawing attention to critical flaws in the American healthcare system.

_Ground Level News shows a short summary only; the full article and all rights belong to Times of India._