Hospitals Support Community with More than Medicine
Hospitals Support Community with More than Medicine
Belleville, Illinois (PRWEB) November 06, 2011
Despite the recent economic downturn and challenging fiscal environments across the nation, Illinois hospitals reported nearly $ 4.9 billion in community benefits in 2009. This was with only 109 of the 210 hospitals statewide filing community benefits reports to the Illinois Hospital Association.
Community benefits are defined as programs and services provided by hospitals that address community health needs and for which hospitals do not receive payment to cover their costs. Categories under this umbrella include charity care, donations, education, language assistance services, research, and volunteer services.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital provided an excess of $ 50 million in free and discounted services to the community during tax year 2009 and over $ 54 million in tax year 2008. This number includes health care for individuals unable to afford care (charity care), unreimbursed costs from Medicaid and Medicare, free educational programs, screenings and clinical services, and charitable initiatives.
It is the Mission of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to provide care for everyone who enters our facility. HSHS recognizes that not all individuals posses the ability to purchase essential medical services due to a variety of economic factors.
“We have recognized the additional economic burden on the public and strive to address their needs in numerous programs and services,” stated Maryann Reese, RN, President and Chief Executive Officer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. “Our community benefit ranges from immediate financial counseling for patients and families, mentoring elementary students at Henry Raab School, contributions of fresh and non-perishable food items to local food pantries, and much more.” The hospital also takes a proactive role in educating communities through wellness programs, sponsoring health screenings and collaborating with local health agencies to address the long-term health issues facing the region.
Continuing the commitment to communities is top priority for HSHS. HSHS continues to reinvest revenue from operations and investments in to new medical technology, upgraded or new facility infrastructure and health care services. These ongoing enhancements ensure that our hospitals can continue to provide high quality, region -leading care to patients who need it.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic health care mission founded to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. It is dedicated to serving all people, including the poor and the needy, at each of its 13 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Sheboygan and two in Green Bay). For more information about HSHS, visit http://www.hshs.org.
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