Rather than allow his patients to go bankrupt from medical debt, a Nebraska surgeon has partnered with several local charities so his patients can pay for their operations with community service.
Doctor Demetrio Aguila III is the mastermind behind the Healing Hands of Nebraska surgical clinic for reconstructive and nerve-related surgeries in Norfolk. He says he was inspired to launch the M25 program after he got sick and tired of American patients suffering from the debilitating financial burden of medical care.
Through the M25 program, Aguila allows his patients to select a nonprofit from their list of participating organizations. He then designates a certain amount of volunteer hours for the patient to complete in order to pay off the surgery.