Allison Sesso has emerged as a transformative leader in the fight against medical debt since taking the helm of Undue Medical Debt in January 2020. With a robust social services and public policy background, Sesso's vision for the organization has been instrumental in expanding its reach and impact across the United States.
Expanding Eligibility for Relief
Under her leadership, Undue Medical Debt has significantly broadened its eligibility criteria for debt relief, now assisting families earning up to four times the federal poverty line. As Sesso states, "This change reflects that increasingly middle-class families are burdened by unpayable medical debts."
Shifting the Debt Acquisition Model
Sesso has also shifted the organization’s approach to acquiring medical debt. Historically, Undue Medical Debt purchased debts from the secondary market, but now it collaborates directly with hospitals and healthcare providers. This strategy allows the nonprofit to obtain more comprehensive and recent debt portfolios, thereby increasing the effectiveness of its relief efforts.
Building Strategic Partnerships
In addition to these operational changes, Sesso has focused on building strategic partnerships with community organizations and local governments. "We focus on partnering with trusted community members... to inform constituents beyond just a letter and have increased trust in our existence and good faith," she explains. This collaborative approach has emphasized Undue’s credibility and increased awareness, empowering more people to reach out and receive help. Additionally, Sesso shares that they are “piloting strategic partnerships with community groups to pair debt abolishment with access to other healthcare resources like navigators for health insurance.”
Overcoming Challenges in Healthcare Collaboration
Despite the challenges of working with entrenched healthcare institutions, Sesso has successfully established partnerships with 165 hospitals and 77 physician practices. This collaboration is vital as hospitals face numerous pressures, including financial instability and staffing shortages. Sesso emphasizes the importance of understanding the healthcare providers' perspectives, stating, "Undue is not a collection agency; the accounts that we acquire are not sold but eliminated or abolished."
Remarkable Impact and Recognition
The results of Sesso's leadership are impressive. Since its inception, it has relieved over $13 billion in medical debt for more than 8.5 million people. Sesso's commitment to this cause has not gone unnoticed; she has been recognized among the "Most Responsible" by City and State in 2021 and under her leadership, Undue was awarded the Fierce 50 Impact Award in 2023 and received the NYC Imagine Award for Innovation in 2022.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
Looking to the future, Sesso remains dedicated to her mission. "I dream of a future in which Undue Medical Debt does not need to exist," she asserts. Until that vision is realized, she continues to advocate for systemic changes that address the root causes of medical debt, ensuring that the organization not only alleviates financial burdens but also contributes to a broader dialogue on healthcare accessibility and equity.
Personal Growth and Leadership Development
Sesso values CALO for providing a safe space to process her approach to leadership, troubleshoot with trusted colleagues, and receive candid feedback. She appreciates how CALO allows her to blend her various roles as CEO, mom, partner, community member, and friend. She says, “CALO is worth my time (which is hard to come by). It makes me a better leader by giving me the time and space to reflect, that is so important to my own well-being.”
Comentários