Kristen Bell Drops Major Cash to Pay for Other People’s Medical Bills

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors Actress Kristen Bell has opted to become part of the solution to a U.S. healthcare system that sometimes leaves its patients with massive bills. Bell, known for her voice work in the blockbuster animated film Frozen and its sequel, as well as starring in TV’s Veronica Mars, was contacted by Instagram influencer Tommy Marcus, who goes by the nom de plume Quentin Quarantino. He has reportedly raised more than $30 million for charity through his social media activities. He proposed that Bell use her celebrity platform and share a GoFundMe page to spotlight someone in need, and added that there was “zero pressure” to participate. Kristin Bell attends the #IMDboat at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb) Kristin Bell attends the #IMDboat at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb) “I had this idea to harness this public energy around the broken healthcare system by sharing one health-related GoFundMe every day for a week+ and changing the life of one family per day,” Marcus wrote in a DM to Bell. “I get so many tragic health insurance related GoFundMes sent to me per week,” he added. “Was wondering if you’d be interested in joining along starting tomorrow. Literally zero pressure if any part of that is uncomfortable for you, as you know my followers are already super generous but could be a big extra boost if they see us collabbing, cause, y’know, you’re you.” Bell was immediately on board with the idea, saying “Love it” and posting a one-minute and 25-second voice note. Their combined entreaty to their 17 million followers has resulted in an effort that Quarantino called “some of the most important and impactful work we’ve ever done.” Bell took that effort one step further by suggesting she could donate her own funds.“How can I give 100,000 to people who need it for medical bills? I want to make sure we do it in the best way, how do we do it?” she wrote in their social thread. Quarantino suggested using a crowd-funding of half patient-requested amounts, with Bell making up the difference to the full amount. So far, Bell has donated more than $20,000 to one third-grade girl’s leukemia struggle. Another $25,000 went to another leukemia patient, Murillo.