Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches collect donations to eliminate $14 million in medical debt

Amy Grella and her family know how stressful medical debt can become.

Grella’s daughter underwent five stays in the hospital before her fifth birthday because of ongoing problems with persistent viral respiratory infections.

The Mt. Lebanon family had health insurance, but their claims fell into loopholes and exclusions in their insurance policy, and eventually their medical bills were sold to a collections agency.

“All of a sudden, the debt collector began sending scathing letters and calling multiple times a day,” Grella said. “It made me feel less human. It was one of the most stressful times of my life. I can’t tell you the peace of mind it would’ve given me to receive a letter saying, ‘I’ve got you. Your debt is forgiven. Go focus on keeping your child comfortable.’”

Families across Southwestern Pennsylvania are getting just such a letter this season, from the churches in the Pittsburgh Presbytery, whose 117 churches in Allegheny County have collected enough donations to eliminate more than $14 million in outstanding medical bills.

The donations go to national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, which purchases medical debt for pennies on the dollar. That means every dollar donated is able to help erase about $100 worth of debt, and Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches have raised more than $73,000 so far.

Rather than going after families with overdue medical bills, Undue finds organizations and individuals like the Pittsburgh Presbytery, willing to donate and eliminate debt.

The Rev. Judith Slater, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Duquesne, called the program a “mustard-seed endeavor,” referring to the biblical parable about a small seed providing abundant growth.

“Undue told us that people who’ve received this debt relief in the past often have trouble believing it’s real,” Slater said. “Once they realize it is, they often say it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from them and they can move forward in their lives and have a chance for a new life.”

The campaign has already exceeded its initial $65,000 goal, and will remain open through the end of the year. In July 2025, through a partnership between Undue Medical Debt and the City of Pittsburgh, donors were able to eliminate more than $58 million in medical debt for 43,000 city residents.

Donations can be made at UndueMedicalDebt.org — enter “Pittsburgh Presbytery” in the search box.