“California’s attorney general has ordered three hospitals to pay a total of $5.3 million to local non-profit groups to fulfill their state charitable obligations. The hospitals said there’s less need for charity care due to the Affordable Care Act. But consumer advocates said high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs make care unaffordable for many.
“California’s attorney general sets specific charity care requirements when tax-exempt hospitals merge or buy each other. But federal law only requires an unspecified amount of free or discounted care to qualify for federal tax breaks. As I reported last week, that can be a paltry sum.”
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To interview Twila Brase of Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom, contact Deborah Hamilton, [email protected] or 610.584.1096, ext. 102, or Patrick Benner, 610.584.1096, ext.
