An analysis of hospitals’ annual community benefit reports reveal the community benefits provided in 2009-2010:
• $561 million in free and discounted care
• $2.23 billion absorbed by hospitals due to underpayments by government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid
• $445 million to educate new physicians, nurses and other medical professionals
• $266 million to subsidize “money-losing” services, such as trauma and burn units
• $906 million in healthcare services for patients who were unable to pay
• $85 million in research on treatments and cures
• $18 million in language-assistance services
• $130 million in donations, volunteer work and other services.
The IHA estimates that if all of Illinois’ approximately 210 hospitals were to file community benefits reports, the total value of community benefits provided would be more than $1 billion. Under current state law, not all hospitals are required to file the reports.
Related Articles on Hospital Community Benefits:
Missouri Hospitals Provide Total Community Benefits of $2.3B in 2010
What’s Next for Illinois Non-Profit Hospitals and Their Tax-Exempt Statuses?
New Jersey Hospitals Contributed $18.6B in Economic Activity
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