2012 Schedule Hs show hospitals benefit communities in many ways

Hospitals spend an average of 12.3% of their total expenses on community benefits, according to a new report by Ernst & Young. Based on the most recent data available from more than 1,100 tax-exempt hospitals for tax year 2012, the estimate includes financial assistance, Medicaid underpayments, community health improvement programs, health research and education, subsidized services, Medicare shortfalls and other community benefits and building activities. This is the fourth time that AHA has worked with Ernst & Young to collect and analyze the Schedule H data to better understand the diverse ways hospitals serve their communities. "This report gives a more complete picture of how hospitals are serving their patients and communities in addition to providing care inside the hospital," said AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock. "We encourage hospitals to share this community benefit information with their local communities and continue to regularly communicate their great stories of service." The report is available at www.aha.org/scheduleh.