Concord, NH – New Hampshire’s hospitals provided approximately $540 million in community benefits, according to the Statewide Community Benefits Report: An Overview of 2016 Hospital Activities recently released by the Foundation for Healthy Communities. This represents a $14 million increase provided in community benefits from the last year.
Hospital community benefits programs are designed to provide increased access to care and address population health inequalities for vulnerable patients. This includes financial assistance provided, unreimbursed costs of patient care, free or low-cost immunizations, charitable contributions, family support services, health education and community building activities. Community benefits include:
- Health services for vulnerable or underserved people
- Financial or in-kind support of public health programs, such as management of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes
- Donations of funds, property, or other resources that contribute to a community priority, such as obesity, substance abuse, or health care services for the homeless
- Health care cost containment activities, like free health education programs that can help people manage their conditions without the need for more costly services
- Health screening and prevention services
“New Hampshire hospitals and health systems are committed to their communities and to improving the health of New Hampshire residents, and deliver care beyond the walls of the traditional health care setting,” said NHHA President, Steve Ahnen. “This report truly demonstrates the value that our hospitals bring to their communities, not just in the hospital but through activities outside the hospital walls that address the unique health care needs across of their community.”
The statewide community benefits report is published annually by the Foundation and its affiliated organization, the New Hampshire Hospital Association, to demonstrate the impact of New Hampshire hospitals and health systems beyond the traditional hospital care setting. The 2016 report represents data collected fiscal year 2015 data from 24 New Hampshire hospitals as they reported to the IRS to quantify hospital contributions, such as unreimbursed costs, uncompensated care and other free, discounted and unique programs that are critical to the health of New Hampshire communities.
About New Hampshire Hospital Association
Collaborating with member hospitals since 1934, the New Hampshire Hospital Association is the leading voice for hospitals and health systems throughout the state, and provides leadership through advocacy, education and information in support of its member hospitals and health care delivery systems in delivering high quality health care to the patients and communities they serve.
About the Foundation for Healthy Communities
The Foundation for Healthy Communities is a nonprofit corporation that aims to improve the health and healthcare through collaborative partnerships so that New Hampshire residents achieve their highest potential for health and well-being in the communities where they live, work, learn and play.
Download the 2016 Statewide Report here
