Wisconsin hospitals provided $278 million in charity care

Wisconsin has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country. That does not mean, however, that there are not people living in Wisconsin who need assistance with medical bills, or that everyone has equal access to health care. Hospitals and health systems are caring for patients every day within their walls, but they are also hard at work in the community improving health through education and outreach, and increasing access to care by supporting free or reduced-fee clinics.

Wisconsin hospitals and health systems are accountable to their communities and committed to transparency. That is why for the past decade, all WHA members – 132 in total – have completed the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) community benefit survey. Wisconsin is one of a few states that has 100 percent of the hospitals voluntarily reporting community benefits. This helps quantify the resources, but it does not explain the impact this commitment has on the community.

Today, the Wisconsin Hospital Association completed and released its annual Community Benefits Report and Economic Impact Report, highlighting how hospitals across Wisconsin are truly committed to the health and wellbeing of its patients.

We invite you to read the personal stories in this report. These stories are powerful, compassionate and uplifting. They help illustrate how hospitals and the health care professionals they employ are caring for patients and improving lives, while building stronger communities.

WHA reports that hospitals are currently preparing for the second cycle of community health needs assessment. Mary Kay Grasmick, vice president of communications for WHA, encourages everyone to send her your community benefits stories by calling (608) 274-1820 or email mgrasmick@wha.org.

To view, download and share WHA’s 2015 Community Benefit Report, CLICK HERE.

Read more about hospitals connecting with their communities at WiServePoint.org.

This post was written and researched by Trish (Skram) Reed. If you have other news, resources or links to share, please comment below or email Trish Reed, blogger and research content specialist for WHPRMS, at trishskram@gmail.com.