New Report Highlights Community Benefits of Nonprofit Hospitals

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the United States have jointly released a report that details the myriad benefits that nonprofit hospitals and health systems provide to their communities.

Key findings from the report emphasize:

• Nonprofit hospitals not only offer financial assistance but also adapt their services to meet the shifting demographics and economic conditions of the communities they serve.
• The community benefits vary based on specific hospital characteristics—such as the patient populations they serve, their core functions, whether they are the sole provider in rural or underserved areas, and their overall size.
• Another critical component of community benefit includes providing care at a loss to low-income patients reliant on Medicaid, which is highly influenced by changes in federal and state policies.

Rick Pollack, President and CEO of the AHA, stated, ‘Advancing the health and wellness of the patients and communities they serve is a foundational mission for all our nation’s hospitals and health systems. This report shows that hospitals of all kinds—urban and rural, large and small—are demonstrating the value they provide and solidifying their commitment to making their communities healthier in ways that address specific local needs.’