Spectrum Health provided more than $100 million in community benefit to West Michigan during its 2006 fiscal year – the largest amount in the not-for-profit health system’s history.
“We take pride in providing high quality care while remaining a low cost provider,” said Spectrum Health President and CEO Richard C. Breon in a statement issued last week. “The majority of our community benefit dollars are being spent on making up the shortfall in government funding for Medicaid and Medicare patients.”
For every $1 of Medicaid care provided, the government pays Spectrum Health 72 cents. For every $1 of Medicare care provided, it is paid 94 cents. This shortfall in Medicaid and Medicare payments constitutes $78 million, the largest portion of Spectrum’s community benefit dollars.
In addition to uncompensated Medicaid and Medicare services,
Spectrum Health spent $22.7 million in community outreach and health improvement programs, including caring for the underserved, supporting community clinics for children and pregnant women, and the funding clinical research.
“Our mission is to improve the health of our community, that is why we embrace a wide range of health improvement initiatives,” said Breon.
Source: Spectrum Health
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