Non-profit hospitals should operate like charities, providing affordable health care to those in need while improving their communities in exchange for massive tax breaks. But really all over the country- Including here in Indiana – Non-profit hospitals implement toxic policies that put profits before patients.
Recently, the vicious and profit-seeking behavior of non-profit hospitals across the country has new york times, Axiosdocumentary film unkind unkind, INNOVATION FOR JUSTICE etc. Health care consumers in Indiana, like people across the country, are feeling the impact of nonprofit hospitals acting like big corporations.
Non-profit hospitals in Indiana have “Fair share deficit” $513 million total. In other words, Indiana’s nonprofit hospitals got him a whopping $513 million more in tax credits than he spent on charitable health care for low-income patients and benefiting his community.This is a non-profit hospital Reduce spending on charity care Better than for-profit hospitals of comparable size.
Related:Indiana legislature seeks to force hospitals to cut prices
Take a look at Indiana University Health, the largest hospital system in the state. In 2020, the non-profit hospital system will: We charge the second highest price statewide, reported a profit of $1.2 billion. IU Health Methodist University Charges Patients 4.7 times more than hospital medical expensesIt’s not just IU Health.Indiana standings Hospital price disparity ranks 6th — ahead of states like New York, California, and Massachusetts, where the cost of living is much higher.
Indiana nonprofit hospitals are not only charging exorbitant prices to their patients, they are also violating federal price transparency laws.Latest report by patient advocate Less than a quarter (22%) of Indiana hospitals indicated they comply with federal regulations requiring all hospitals to post their prices online for easy access and search. I’m here.
Worse, Indiana’s Weak debt protection policy, Hoosiers risk falling victim to devastating debt collection methods like wage garnishment, bank account foreclosures, and home foreclosures if they can’t pay their medical bills. Hospitals in Indiana are not required to establish charity care policies or inform patients about those policies, so even if patients are entitled to reduced costs or free care, they could be financially bankrupt. There is a nature.
Fortunately, both in the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C., Indiana’s elected officials recognize that too many nonprofit hospitals take advantage of vulnerable patients and taxpayers. We are taking action to hold them accountable.
Editorial/Edit:When it comes to healthcare, Indiana Republicans are ignoring free market principles
Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana recently joined forces with Washington representative and chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Pramila Jayapal, to introduce legislation to help end anticompetitive practices by nonprofit hospitals. We joined forces. Senator Spartz said: Being a non-profit hospital should not be a loophole to circumvent antitrust enforcement. ’” This sentiment is echoed here in Indiana, where we have state legislators. Prioritize legislation to hold non-profit hospitals accountable this parliament.
I am encouraged by these efforts, and I am committed to my legislators and Governor Holcomb to ensure that Indiana’s nonprofit hospitals function like nonprofits and provide the affordable care that communities demand. I urge you to do your best. Prohibits hospitals from pursuing toxic debt collection practices, sets standards for eligibility and obligations for charity care, and sets standards and caps for common abusive practices such as high interest rates on medical bills and reporting medical bills. It’s time for a statewide change that makes a difference, like enacting. Pre-Decision Obligations. Hoosiers deserves to be a non-profit hospital that puts patients and their communities first.
Jim Manley is a former Senior Counsel to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and currently serves on the Board of Consumers for Quality Care.
