Attorney General Dann plans more involvement with Ohio nonprofit hospitals

"After his involvement with Forum Health's sale of its former Beeghly Medical Park, Attorney General Marc Dann plans to get significantly more involved in the future of nonprofit health care facilities in the state." (Source: "Dann plans expanded role for the Youngstown regional office," Youngstown Vindicator, Jan. 12, 2008.) Dann will meet this week with officials from the 40 or 50 nonprofit hospital systems in Ohio. According to Dann, as nonprofits the facilities are required to provide "charitable contributions to the community." But that term isn't defined.

"Is it good enough to just provide health care?" Dann asked. “Do you need to give health care to those who can't afford it? What percentage of the gross or net income should go to nonreimbursed care? We’ll work on developing standards around the state." As attorney general, Dann must approve any transfer of a nonprofit health system's assets, which gives him "a lot of control over those facilities." Dann also told the Vindicator that 40 to 50 nonprofit hospital systems in Ohio "may be too many."