Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: February 5, 2004
Contact: Bruce Cryan (401) 222-5123

Health Department Reports on Hospital Community Benefits

Hospital Community Benefits Report (2002) 
January 2004

Today, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) released the "Hospital Community Benefits Report (2002)" detailing community benefits provided by hospitals in RI. Based on the findings, Rhode Island's hospitals provided $13.7 million in charity care, or 0.8% of patient revenue in 2002. Hospitals also incurred $41.8 million in bad debt, or 2.3% of patient revenue. The Report also documents individual community benefits activities, the level of diversity in hospital governance, and hospitals’ compliance with charity/uncompensated care licensing standards. Rhode Island regulations establish the standard for statewide community needs as the annual average amount of charity care provided by the hospital during the most recent five (5) years.

"HEALTH monitors the community benefits provided by hospitals," said Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. "These community benefits include uncompensated care, research and education, public advocacy, non-revenue producing services, and other programs necessary to provide safe and adequate treatment, appropriate access and balanced health care delivery to residents of the state. These benefits are an important part of Rhode Island’s health safety net."

HEALTH produced the Report using survey responses and audited financial information. The Report is a direct result of the Hospital Conversions Act, passed in 1996, which requires hospitals in RI to submit information on these activities and to maintain historical levels of charity care.

The Report is available on HEALTH’s website 
(www.HEALTH.ri.gov). Additional reports on hospital clinical performance, patient satisfaction, and financial performance are also available on this website.