The Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) has released its 2010 community benefit report detailing how hospitals provide some $2.6 billion in free or discounted services to their local communities, contribute $67.8 billion into Ohio's economy and create jobs for 567,113 directly or indirectly.
According to the report, charity care increased by 12 percent from 2007 to 2008. OHA defines charity care as that which is provided for free or at a substantial discount to those unable to pay. Over half of the free care provided by hospitals – $511.4 million – is provided to patients with incomes above the federal poverty limit.
The OHA community benefit report is published annually. The 2010 report uses 2008 data, the most recent year for which data is available. This year, 185 hospitals participated. To see the full report, click here: www.ohanet.org/Community-Benefits/.