Part of More than $1 Billion in Community Care Provided Statewide by Arizona’s Hospitals
John C. Lincoln Health Network provided $31,171,687 in charity care, community health improvement services, community building activities and uncompensated health care to its community in 2006, according to statistics compiled by the Health Network for the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA).
Statewide, Arizona's hospitals provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care, community health improvement programs, subsidized health care services and other programs, according to the first-time statewide study unveiled by AzHHA.
The AzHHA Community Benefits Study documents hospitals' 2006 contributions to care for the uninsured and underinsured, as well as programs and services that help improve the health of Arizona's residents.
"This study demonstrates that hospitals are deeply imbedded in the social and economic fabric of their communities, as well as the state as a whole," said Dan Coleman, chair, AzHHA’s Community Benefits Advisory Work Group; member, AzHHA's Board of Directors; and president and CEO of John C. Lincoln Health Network in Phoenix.
"Arizona's hospital leaders believe that will continue as Arizonans who are weathering tough economic times turn to these hospital-sponsored programs for everything from medical care to the basics of everyday living."
At John C., Community Benefits a "Rich Tradition"
Arizona hospitals reached more than 1.5 million Arizonans—approximately 25 percent of the state's population—with programs and services known as community benefits, the study revealed.
Community benefits include programs and services that address community health needs, regardless of payment. They would likely be discontinued if continuity were based solely on financial considerations.
John C. Lincoln's services are headlined by its Desert Mission, which includes a food bank that has served north Phoenix since 1927; the Children’s Dental Clinic and Community Health Services center for the uninsured or underinsured; Marley House family resource center; and the nationally accredited child care at Lincoln Learning Center.
"John C. Lincoln has a rich tradition of providing programs and sponsoring services that go above and beyond traditional health care delivery to help serve the poor, prevent illness and injury and improve the overall health of our community," Coleman explained.
Building Awareness of Benefits
Even with Arizona hospitals' extensive history of community benefit programs that go beyond traditional health care services, many Arizonans are unaware of their contributions, Coleman observed. To build awareness, John C. Lincoln is participating in "There to Care: Building a Healthy Arizona." More information on the program can be found on the AzHHA's website, azhha.org.
This voluntary initiative launched by the AzHHA enables the health care community to quantify the positive impact of their care for the underserved and other contributions to healthier communities. |