The growing problem of medical debt in America has garnered national attention. To help us understand how we got here, we invited some of those working on the frontlines of this issue to participate in a multi-panel, virtual event. More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to collect data on hospital greenhouse gas emissions for the first time. Here's why this effort could be helpful for transparency and accountability on climate change, and some ways the initiative could go further. More
Some nonprofit hospitals and systems are getting attention for rewarding CEOs with housing bonuses, supplemental retirement plans, and other benefits. More
This children's hospital paid their CEO more than they spent on financial assistance. What explains this upward trend in executive pay? More
As medical debt grows more prevalent and harmful, state and local governments are taking action to forgive debt in their region. How can we expand these one-off actions into policy change to prevent debt before it starts? More
These hospitals had the largest fair share surpluses in the nation. That means that their spending on meaningful community investments exceeded the value of their tax exemption. More
These health systems had the largest fair share surpluses in the country, meaning their spending on community investments exceeded the value of their tax exemption. More
Communities invest in their local nonprofit hospitals through big tax breaks. Are hospitals giving back their fair share in return? Alongside California health policy experts, we unpack the results of the 2024 "Fair Share Spending" analysis. More
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
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
A new report by The Root Cause Coalition highlights community needs and priorities when it comes to the social drivers of health. More
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
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
How can we combat cognitive biases and reduce overuse? Recent studies provide insights for "nudging" doctors away from low-value care. More
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
New research sheds light on how some hospitals are falling short when it comes to serving those closest to them. More
Is there a relationship between hospital inclusivity and the funding they receive? A new study explains... More
Emerging evidence shows that the influence of private equity in healthcare demands attention. Here’s what’s in the latest research. More
Hospital watchdogs have started collecting valuable data on hospital billing practices. Here are the results from one such study. More
Many of us adopt resolutions for the New Year—could hospitals do the same? Here are five ways that hospitals could become more socially responsible in the coming year, inspired by those hospitals that are already leading the way. More