Pennsylvania nonprofit hospitals provided $6.5 billion in free or subsidized healthcare, medical education and research, and community improvement in 2013, up from $5.8 billion in 2012, according to The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania's analysis about hospital charitable community benefit and investment.
The $6.5 billion included the following:
1. More than $2.5 billion to subsidize care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries
2. More than $1.1 billion in research to cure illnesses and advance medical treatments and services. That's $130 million more than in 2012, according to HAP.
3. More than $1.1 billion in bad debt expenses.
4. More than $747 million in hospital-based education programs to train workers. That's $76 million more than in 2012, according to HAP.
5. More than $467 million in financial assistance and charity care.
6. More than $371 million in subsidized health services. That's $110 million more than in 2012, according to HAP.
7. More than $172 million in community health improvement services and programs —including weight loss programs, cancer screenings in neighborhoods that have limited access to healthcare services, and vaccinations and free dental care in community settings. That's $37 million more than in 2012, according to HAP.
8. More than $87 million in contributions and community-building activities.
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