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Madison, WI – A new report calls out many Dane County Hospitals for failing to justify extensive tax breaks and effectively serve patients impacted by health disparities.
In 2023, Dane County hospitals spent an average of only 0.7% of their gross patient revenues on charity care. The national average is 2.3%.
Medical debt, collections actions, and stress continue to burden patients and families in Dane County. "Most Dane County hospitals can help reduce the burden of medical debt," says Bobby Peterson, Public Interest Attorney at ABC for Health. "Getting sick or taking care of a loved one should not create financial hardship. Hospitals have both a legal and moral obligation to help the less fortunate in our communities."
ABC staff drafted the new report, "Access to Health Care & Coverage: ABC for Health, Inc. Recommendations for Dane County Hospitals" with the intent to inform the Dane County Community Health Needs Assessment process, one Peterson says should include an opportunity to provide valuable input into patient financial services and needs of many vulnerable patients and community stakeholders. "Unfortunately, the quietly prepared and released Dane County Community Health Needs Assessment failed to provide broad input to improve policies that promote the access to health care and coverage needs for disparity populations in our community," says Peterson.
Watch our video summary.
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