Most Nonprofit Hospitals Skimp on Care for Poor, Report Says

Most nonprofit hospitals are spending less on charity care than they reap in benefits from their tax-exempt status, according to a new report from a think tank on equity in health care.

Nonprofit hospitals are exempt from paying most federal, state, and local taxes in exchange for providing free or discounted care and programs to low-income patients, and addressing community health needs.

The Lown Institute calculated the “fair share” spending in 2020, for 1,710 nonprofit hospitals by comparing how much they spent on charity care and community investment with how much they benefited from tax breaks. Around 77% of hospitals ...