Michigan nonprofit hospitals provide billions in benefits
LANSING, MI – Michigan’s nonprofit community hospitals provided nearly $2.6 billion in direct patient care services and targeted outreach to those who could not afford it in fiscal year 2007, according to a report by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
“When Michigan residents are injured or sick, they turn to nonprofit community hospitals for quality medical care,” said Spencer Johnson, president of the MHA. “This report demonstrates how nonprofit hospitals go above and beyond their mission to deliver essential healthcare services. Nonprofit hospitals are working tirelessly to keep residents healthier and to meet community needs.”
Johnson said Michigan hospitals provide care to those who cannot afford it and administer numerous health, education and transportation programs to address the specific needs of local communities across the state.
These services are often provided at no cost to residents, and are an integral part of nonprofit hospitals’ tax-exempt purpose. The MHA 2008 Hospital Community Benefits Report represents the voluntary efforts of 132 of Michigan’s 146 nonprofit community hospitals that responded to the most recent community benefit survey.
Other data in the report includes:
• Michigan nonprofit hospitals provided more than $2.1 billion in non-reimbursed medical care to Michigan residents. This includes more than $209 million in charity care, more than $605 million in bad debt and more than $1.2 billion in non-reimbursed cost of healthcare services provided to individuals covered by Medicaid, Medicare and other government-sponsored programs.
• Nonprofit hospitals provided more than 224,000 visits to free hospital- and community-based clinics. This care represented a contribution of nearly $35 million by these hospitals in the communities they serve.
• Nonprofit hospitals provided nearly 5,900 free community health screening opportunities, serving more than 222,000 individuals at an investment of more than $3 million.
• Michigan residents participated in more than 31,900 health education and outreach programs and activities provided by nonprofit hospitals. More than 3.1 million individuals benefited from these programs, with an investment by nonprofit hospitals of nearly $22 million in their communities.
• Michigan nonprofit hospitals helped more than 60,000 people through free or reduced-fee counseling services, investing nearly $2.9 million in their communities.
• In 2007, more than 140,000 individuals benefited from free or discounted prescriptions and medical supplies provided by nonprofit hospitals at a hospital investment of more than $3.8 million.
• In-home services, respite care, meals on wheels and food donations served nearly 179,000 individuals at an investment of nearly $3.6 million in community contributions.
“As the state struggles through the growing pains of a changing economy, Michigan residents are faced with increasing uncertainties,” Johnson said. “While Michigan continues to have the highest unemployment rate in the nation, residents should not have to forgo a regular checkup, a necessary medical procedure or lifesaving prescription drugs.”
The MHA is a state association, based in Lansing, Mich., that represents and supports Michigan hospitals, health systems and healthcare providers through education, advocacy and communication.
