Illinois hospitals contributed annual community benefits of nearly $4.9 billion in programs and services in fiscal years 2008-09, according to the fourth annual report issued by the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA).
"Although hospitals give billions of dollars in community benefits each year, including nearly half a billion dollars in charity care, this report highlights that the real value of hospitals cannot be calculated merely in dollars and cents," said IHA President Maryjane A. Wurth.
The report, “Even More Than Medicine: How Illinois Hospitals Help Their Communities,” shows that, as reported under the Illinois Community Benefits Act, the 109 Illinois hospitals filing annual community benefit reports with the state provided nearly $4.9 billion in community benefits in 2009, including:
- $2.39 billion absorbed by hospitals because of underpayments by government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid;
- $1.1 billion in healthcare services for patients who were unable to pay;
- $492 million in free and discounted care at cost (nearly double since 2005);
- $394 million to educate new physicians, nurses and other medical professionals;
- $288 million to subsidize money-losing services (e.g., trauma, ER, neonatal ICU, burn units);
- $77 million in research on innovative, life-saving treatments and cures;
- $16 million in language assistance services; and
- $100 million in donations, volunteer work and other services.
According to the IHA, if all of Illinois' approximately 210 hospitals were to file community benefit reports, the total value of community benefits provided in 2009 could be as much as $1 billion higher (under current state law, not all hospitals are required to file the reports).
Wurth said that despite the economic downturn and Illinois' challenging political and fiscal environments, the state's hospitals contributed not only services and programs to benefit their communities but also billions of dollars in tangible economic benefits as employers and purchasers of goods and services.
The report claims Illinois hospitals add $75.1 billion into the state's economy each year, including more than $14.8 billion in salaries and benefits to employ nearly a quarter of a million people. In about half of the state's counties, hospitals are among the top three employers.