Ohio hospital CEOs concerned about increased charity care

Last year the four hospital systems in Central Ohio experienced a 15 percent increase in free and subsidized care for uninsured patients and officials expect another double-digit increase this year (Source: “Hospitals say free care has high cost,” Columbus Dispatch, July 22, 2009).

In fiscal year 2008, when Columbus' four hospital systems reported a combined $5.5 billion in revenue, they gave away $262 million in free and subsidized care, or about 5 percent of operating expenses. In 2007, hospitals provided $228 millions and had a combined revenue of $5.2 billion.

Five years ago, in 2003, the four systems provided about $108 million in free and subsidized care. A
survey of all hospitals in the state last year by the Ohio Hospital Association found that charity care increased by 41 percent over the previous year.