PRESS RELEASE: More than 1,900 nonprofit hospitals receive more in tax breaks than they give back to their community, totaling billions
Are nonprofit hospitals giving back as much as they take in tax break? More
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Report says tax breaks for Minnesota hospitals, including Mayo, outweigh community benefit
"If nonprofit hospitals want to enjoy those tax breaks, they need to do more to justify them," Saini said in an interview. "What we're trying to encourage is more community leaders to ask questions about that, because simply saying 'we train doctors, we do research and we lose money on Medicaid' is not sufficient any more. These are big, big businesses." More
Steward implosion provides cautionary tale on private equity in health care
Steward Health Care, a for-profit system formerly owned by a private equity firm, is selling nine hospitals in Massachusetts, after running out of money to run the hospitals. Here's what happened, and what the fallout might mean for Massachusetts communities. More
Growing OBGYN shortages are threatening maternal health; abortion bans may make them worse
In the face of the nation’s high rates of maternal mortality, OBGYN workforce shortages are exacerbating the problem. In some states, abortion bans could be making things worse. More
Labor and delivery units are closing across the country. Here are some of the names.
Hospitals across the country have been struggling to keep their maternity unit doors open. Is your local hospital on the list of maternity unit closures? More
Surgeons warn of ‘overutilization’ of spinal fusion
Three things Black people should know about health care (Part 3)
Despite having access to world-class medical facilities nearby, often people with the most serious health concerns tend to bypass the “nicer” hospitals. Here’s why that happens, and why you might consider trying out these hospitals nonetheless. More
Social drivers of health matter. How can hospitals help?
A new report by The Root Cause Coalition highlights community needs and priorities when it comes to the social drivers of health. More
Remembering Joe Brain, a champion for public health
Lown Institute board members remember Joe Brain, innovative scientist, generous teacher, and devoted friend to Dr. Bernard Lown. More
No margin, no mission? How safety net hospitals balance financial and ethical concerns
For hospitals that operate on razor-thin margins, balancing financial concerns with their social mission is an incredibly difficult task. In NEJM, experts explain how hospitals manage these challenging tradeoffs. More
Three things Black people should know about healthcare (Part 2)
More than half of Black adults say they’ve had at least one negative interaction with doctors or other health care providers, with about a third saying that their pain was not taken seriously or that their provider has rushed them. Read tips on how to address culturally incompetent care. More
REGISTER: Are hospitals giving back as much as they take? A close-up look at California
Communities invest in their local nonprofit hospitals through big tax breaks. Are hospitals giving back their fair share in return? To find out, the Lown Institute analyzed hospital community investments compared to the value of their tax breaks—what we call “Fair Share Spending.” More
Three things Black people should know about healthcare (Part 1)
Black Americans are at a higher risk of medical debt and its consequences compared to other Americans. What can patients do to protect themselves? More
“Nudging” doctors to reduce overuse
How can we combat cognitive biases and reduce overuse? Recent studies provide insights for "nudging" doctors away from low-value care. More
A year after Wellstar Atlanta closes, area hospitals struggle to pick up the pieces
One year ago, safety net hospital Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center closed its doors. Recent interviews help paint a picture of how this closure has impacted remaining hospitals. More
Am I eligible? Why financial assistance policies vary drastically between states
Suppose you are an individual who makes $21,870 per year, or 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), and have come to the hospital for treatment. Would you be eligible for financial assistance to help these expenses? It depends on where you live. More
A Tale of Two Hospitals in New York City
What does it mean for patients and clinicians to be confronted with healthcare inequalities daily? More
Why good hospitals don’t always make good neighbors
New research sheds light on how some hospitals are falling short when it comes to serving those closest to them. More
Median nonprofit CEO pay in Minnesota jumps 25% in compensation comeback
Non-financial measures should be part of the conversation when setting CEO pay, said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, a Massachusetts-based group that evaluates executive compensation, but there's virtually no public information on exactly how nonprofits grade their CEO's performance on things like quality, safety and patient experience. More
The most inclusive hospitals get the least amount of radiology research funding, study finds
Is there a relationship between hospital inclusivity and the funding they receive? A new study explains... More