Cook County has teamed up with RIP Medical Debt to erase the debt of thousands of people.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the U.S. needs universal health care. But because the nation doesn't have it, she said it's on the government to do everything possible to make health care accessible and available to everyone.

RIP Medical Debt is a nonprofit organization with a mission of abolishing medical debt. The organization buys debt at a deep discount from hospitals, health systems and collection agencies.

Preckwinkle and Allison Sesso, RIP Medical Debt’s president and CEO, join “Chicago Tonight.”