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Nonprofits vs Profits

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Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Health Care: Is There a Difference?

Hudson Valley NY HFMA Chapter Newsletter, Bruce McPherson, June 30, 2013

My experience is that many nonprofit (or "not-for-profit," if you prefer that term) health care organizations--whether they be hospitals, nursing homes, home care providers, health insurers, and so forth--do a poor job of informing the key stakeholders in their communities, as well as the general public, about:

• Their nonprofit ownership status;
• The unique role that nonprofits play in health care; and
• How their organizations are fulfilling that role.

Yet, they probably all think they are communicating well.

Nor do most people understand the sheer size of the nonprofit health care sector.

Should we be surprised, then, when people conclude that there is no difference between nonprofit and for-profit health care organizations and that the former should no longer receive any special tax-exemption benefits? As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us!"

So allow me to present here some basic information about the size and unique value of nonprofit health care, and then present a few critical questions that leaders in the sector must ask themselves, especially those in nonprofit hospitals/health systems, which are currently undergoing the most public scrutiny.

Size of the U.S. Nonprofit Health Care Sector

The nonprofit health care sector accounts for virtually all of the community health centers in the U.S., 58% of community hospitals (and 69% of community hospital beds), 45% of private health plans (and 50% of private plan enrollment), and between 50-92% of hospices, home care providers and nursing homes in about half of the states.

Nonprofit Health Care's Unique Role

First, the basic purpose of nonprofit health care organizations is to improve the health and quality of life for as many people

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