A new report released by the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) showed the state’s hospitals provided $2.3 billion in community benefits and charity care in Fiscal Year 2023.
The WHA 2024 Community Benefit Report details the many ways Wisconsin’s nonprofit hospitals and health systems care for their communities beyond patient care, often at a financial loss. “Wisconsin’s hospitals and health systems not only provide outstanding patient care, but they also provide many valuable community services that otherwise wouldn’t exist,” said Eric Borgerding, WHA President and CEO.
Of the $2.3 billion in community benefits, WHA officials said $1.6 billion represents unfunded Medicaid losses—an increase of $225 million over the previous year. The losses reported were in addition to $168 million in charity care, $109 million in subsidized health services, and $301 million in health professions education. “Rising Medicaid shortfalls and other financial pressures are putting hospital services, and their community support programs at serious risk,” added Borgerding. “The recent closure of two hospitals in the Chippewa Valley illustrates the real-world consequences when financial challenges reach a breaking point; and communities lose critical access to care and essential non-hospital services.”
Tomah Health provided $5.85 million in community benefits and charity care this past year. “As a nonprofit community hospital, there are a number of services that we offer not because they contribute to the hospital’s bottom line, but because we consider them important in providing for the overall health and wellness of the community,” said Joe Zeps, Tomah Health chief financial officer. “Our board of directors is committed to maintaining these services as long as they are necessary, and we would never want anyone to forego medical care because they are concerned about receiving a large bill.”
With 96% of Wisconsin hospitals operating as nonprofits and reinvesting their revenues locally, WHA officials said these contributions support essential community programs and services that would not otherwise exist. “Addressing inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates is crucial if we want to maintain the high-quality care and essential community programs that Wisconsin families and employers rely on,” added Borgerding. “Hospitals are committed to supporting Wisconsin’s workforce, economy and overall well-being, but we need state leaders to ensure sustainable funding for our hospitals.”
The 2024 Community Benefits Report also features dozens of community stories told by member hospitals including examples at Tomah Health. “The work by our Community Outreach Department is essential in meeting community needs,” said Eric Prise, Tomah Health marketing director. “A great example of our work is the number of informative ways our staff taught children and parents during this year’s National Night Out event,” said Prise. “In a fun and interactive way, our staff shared information on how to reduce stress and to properly dispose of needles.”
The 2024 Community Benefits Report is available online, CLICK HERE