Media Kit

State-wide press release

COLUMBIA, SC, October 22, 2007 — The South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) today announced the findings of its first statewide compilation of community benefits provided by member hospitals and the numbers are significant. According to the Healthy Hospitals | Healthy Lives: SCHA 2007 Hospital Community Benefits Report, in fiscal year 2006 South Carolina hospitals provided more than $1.3 billion in community benefit services to more than 4.8 million participants.

[ Download full press release ]

Main talking points

The report demonstrates how South Carolina’s hospitals go above and beyond the delivery of essential health care services to ensure healthier children, safer environments, earlier detection of disease, and enhanced access to basic health care services.

Key findings from the 65 South Carolina hospitals that participated in the survey indicate:

• South Carolina hospitals provided community benefits services to more than 4.8 million citizens, many of whom were unable to pay for their care.
• South Carolina hospitals provided more than $1.3 billion in total community benefits in 2006.
• South Carolina hospitals provided more than $1.2 billion (net) in uncompensated care.
• South Carolina hospitals delivered nearly $30 million in free or reduced-fee community health improvement services.

Quick Facts from the 2007 Report

• The report presents data for the two types of hospital community benefits: traditional and nontraditional.
  • Traditional community benefits are uncompensated care costs and include health care services provided to patients who are unable to pay as well as the unreimbursed costs of government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.
  • Nontraditional community benefits are programs and services offered by South Carolina’s hospitals out in the community—beyond hospital walls—to improve health status or increase access to care.
• Nearly 700,000 South Carolinians, about 16.2 percent of the state’s population, are uninsured. With few places to turn for help, many rely on South Carolina’s hospital emergency rooms for primary care as well as treatment of more serious conditions.
• South Carolina hospitals work hard to prevent diseases by offering free health screening programs. In 2006, South Carolina hospitals provided a total of 108,595 health screenings in the communities they serve at a cost of more than $2.5 million.
• Nearly 4.2 million South Carolina residents participated in community-based health education classes offered by South Carolina’s hospitals. These programs, valued at more than $8 million, are aimed at improving health status.
• Hospitals provided free or discounted prescription drugs to 20,465 residents valued at nearly $1 million.

Why Healthy Hospitals Are Essential for Healthy Communities

• In addition to caregivers, South Carolina’s hospitals are a powerful economic engine for the state, providing jobs, supporting other businesses and supporting medical research. Hospitals are often among the top five employers in the communities in which they are located.

Contact for more information:

Patricia P. Smoake, Vice President (Communications)
South Carolina Hospital Association
803.796.3080
psmoake@scha.org