Survey: Iowa hospitals’ community benefit topped $1.3 billion

A statewide survey by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) found that Iowa hospitals provided community benefits in 2010 valued at more than $1.3 billion. The figure includes uncompensated care, which is made up of charity care and bad debt, as well as programs and services such as health screenings, support groups, counseling, immunizations, nutritional services and transportation programs. The total value of these services, as reported in the survey, was nearly $212 million. Total uncompensated care in 2010, including charity care and bad debt, was valued at more than $850 million, an increase of $54 million (6.8 percent) from 2009. All 118 of Iowa’s community hospitals participated in the survey.