Hospital executives in the Columbus area say that free care for uninsured low-income patients has increased 163 percent in the past five year, a trend that they say is not sustainable (Source: “Hospitals cooperate to serve community,” Columbus Dispatch, Dec. 16, 2009).
"Our health-care systems are at risk if we're unable to figure out a way to deal with the rising number of uninsured we continue to see at the hospital," said Dr. Steve Allen, chief executive at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
According to a new report released by the Central Ohio Hospital Council, “Connected to the Community,” (pdf, 20 pages) hospitals in central Ohio provided nearly $400 million in community benefit in 2008, including $175 in charity care.
"Our health-care systems are at risk if we're unable to figure out a way to deal with the rising number of uninsured we continue to see at the hospital," said Dr. Steve Allen, chief executive at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
According to a new report released by the Central Ohio Hospital Council, “Connected to the Community,” (pdf, 20 pages) hospitals in central Ohio provided nearly $400 million in community benefit in 2008, including $175 in charity care.
