According to its recent Community Benefits Report, the Iowa Hospital Association’s 118 community hospitals provided more than $1.3 billion in community benefits in 2010.
IHA reports that 6,368,129 patient care episodes were provided through the community service programs, which include:
Charity Care - $506,844,358: Charity care is free or discounted health services provided to persons who cannot afford to pay and who meet the organization's financial assistance policy criteria.
Subsidized Health Services - $66,950,192: Clinical programs are provided despite a financial loss so significant that negative margins remain after removing the effects of charity care, bad debt and Medicaid shortfalls.
Community Health Improvement service - $41,669,177: These activities are carried out to improve community health, extend beyond patient care activities and are usually subsidized by the healthcare organization.
Research - $856,907: Research includes clinical and community health research, as well as general studies on healthcare delivery, shared with the public and funded by the government or tax-exempt entity (including the organization itself).
Financial and In-Kind Contributions - $16,522,307: This includes funds and in-kind services donated to individuals not affiliated with the organization or to community groups and other not-for-profit organizations.
Health Professions Education - $27,461,658: Community health education includes lectures, presentations and other group programs and activities apart from clinical or diagnostic services. Community benefit in this area can include staff time, travel, materials, staff preparation and indirect costs.
Community-building Activities - $7,355,996: Community-building activities include programs that address the root causes of health problems, such as poverty, homelessness and environmental problems.