From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com … — The Wisconsin Hospital Association is touting $2.3 billion in community benefits and charity care provided by hospitals in the state in fiscal year 2023. The group today released its 2024 Community Benefits Report, which details $168 million in charity care, $109 million in subsidized health services, $16 million on research, $25 million on other public programs, $18 million in nursing home losses and more. WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding notes 96% of hospitals in the state are nonprofits and reinvest their resources into meeting local health needs, supporting a variety of services in the community. He said hospitals are helping address issues like food insecurity, transportation challenges, mental health needs and workforce shortages. “Simply put, many of these services wouldn’t be possible without the additional commitment from hospitals,” he said in the report. He also put a spotlight on the “mounting financial pressures” facing hospitals, referencing higher costs for supplies and labor as well as “severely inadequate” Medicaid reimbursement levels. Of the $2.3 billion total, $1.6 billion represents unfunded Medicaid losses, which is $225 million more than in fiscal year 2022. “Even while one-third of the state’s hospitals are currently operating with a negative margin, Wisconsin hospitals continue to face undeserved criticism by some for not doing enough, including questioning the value of their taxexempt status,” Borgerding said. “Removing that status would not only increase health care costs by hundreds of millions of dollars, but also reduce access to vital services.” The report also includes a regional breakdown for the community benefits total, showing the largest share goes to southeastern Wisconsin with about $1.1 billion. That’s followed by $392 million in the northeastern “Packerland” region, $359 million in southern Wisconsin, $209 million in the north central region, $110 million in the western region, $104 million in the west central region and and $27 million in the northwestern “Vikingland” region. See a summary and the full report, and see more in the release below. Top Stories – California Declares an Emergency Over Bird Flu in Cattle – Trump’s Return May Worsen Financial Woes for Global Health Institutions – FDA says knockoff versions of Lilly obesity drug must come off the market – What Are ‘Healthy’ Foods? The F.D.A. Updates the Labeling Terms. – DOJ Alleges CVS Facilitated Unlawful Sales, Violating Federal Opioid Regulations – Obamacare Sign-Ups Lag After Trump Election, Legal Challenges Press Releases
