UPMC Susquehanna Lock Haven (Pa.) has appealed a county board's decision to deny it tax-exempt status, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Pittsburgh-based UPMC acquired the hospital three years ago from for-profit hospital operator Quorum Health of Brentwood, Tenn. The property has been taxed since 2006, when for-profit operator Quorum Health bought it.
UPMC attempted to stop paying $308,000 in taxes on its Lock Haven location, according to The Sunbury Daily Item., but its bid was denied by the Northumberland County Board of Assessment.
In its appeal, UPMC argues that it shouldn't have to pay taxes because it meets the requirements for exemption, including that it provides medical care regardless of a patient's ability to pay and operates without a profit motive.
The hospital also argues that it relieves the government of some of its burden by providing care that may not be reimbursed.
But Northumberland County Board of Assessment Chairman Robert Smeltz told the Gazette that he is "not convinced they're relieving us of that burden, and in fact, they're creating a larger burden."
Read the full report here.
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