Wisconsin Hospital Association's 2020 Community Benefits Report Released

Saturday, January 30th, 2021 -- 11:00 AM

The Wisconsin Hospital Association 2020 Community Benefits Report details the many ways hospitals and health systems in Wisconsin add value to their communities beyond standard measures of health care quality, including investments of nearly $2 billion in community benefits in fiscal year 2019.

 WHA’s Community Benefits Report tabulates costs Wisconsin hospitals incur through charity care provision and financial losses resulting from administering public health programs as well investments made in community health improvement services, cash and in-kind donations and other community building activities.

These and other investments by Wisconsin Hospitals in their communities totaled $1.99 billion in 2019.  The report also highlights the intangible benefits hospitals deliver to their communities through civic engagement, sharing stories from each WHA member hospital and health system relating to charity care, free clinics, hospital-supported initiatives and, new in this year’s report, fighting COVID-19.

This year’s report on the community benefits realized as a result of investments, programs and initiatives enacted by Wisconsin hospitals and health systems includes a period of time that saw uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 throughout Wisconsin, which pushed the state’s health care system to its limits. 

All the while, Wisconsin health care providers maintain strong community involvement, both within and outside their facilities, as reflected in WHA’s 2020 Community Benefits Report.

In addition to the printed Community Benefits Report, WHA is introducing this year an interactive version of the report so that members and stakeholders can view, celebrate and share the meaningful ways hospitals and health systems are enhancing the quality of life we all enjoy here in Wisconsin. Visit wha.org/community-benefits to learn more.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.