Tomah Health is among Wisconsin hospitals and health care systems that provided nearly $2.1 billion in community benefits in fiscal year 2022. The figure is part of the recently released Wisconsin Hospital Association’s (WHA) 2023 Community Benefits Report that highlighted programs, services and activities across the state that hospitals contributed free, as well as the financial assistance they provided to patients.
Tomah Health chief financial officer Joe Zeps said the hospital provided approximately $6.8 million in community benefits this past year. “Tomah Health remains committed to partnering with the communities we serve,” said Zeps. “We know that the support of our community is incredibly important to fulfilling our mission, and as such we take great pride in our ability to give back to the individuals that trust us with their care.”
Zeps said the benefit figure is a direct result of work by hospital staff throughout the year. “Staff should take great pride in the investments the hospital makes in taking care of the community, and we look forward to the continued provision of high quality, high value care for many years to come” said Zeps. He said last year’s figure was approximately $5 million.
One of the projects highlighted in WHA’s 2023 Community Benefits Report is Tomah Health’s continued support of the annual National Night Out, which assisted countless individuals and families throughout the community.
WHA officials said the annual Community Benefits Report outlines a range of care provided by Wisconsin hospitals including charity care, subsidized health services, and community health improvement to improve overall public health and support those in need. “We are very proud of Wisconsin’s hospitals for their exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of communities across the state,” said Eric Borgerding, WHA president and CEO. “Their substantial investments in community benefits and charity care reflect their firm belief in delivering compassionate care to every individual in need.”
The WHA release stated that the $2.1 billion investment is a testament to Wisconsin hospitals’ recognition of the importance of accessible health care and their responsibility to address the evolving needs of patients. From improving facilities, expanding services and implementing cutting-edge technology, Wisconsin hospitals have shown their commitment to advancing the health care landscape in Wisconsin, officials added.
In 2013, under a new requirement of the Affordable Care Act, hospitals were required to complete a formal community health needs assessment in partnership with public health and other community partners to assess, address and prioritize community health needs.
The entire report, along with an interactive map showcasing the stories can be found by CLICKING HERE
WHA advocates on behalf of its 140-plus member hospitals and health systems to enable the delivery of high-quality, high-value care to the citizens of Wisconsin.