Government and Politics Watch

Nonprofit Hospitals Object to Senate Proposal to Add New 'Charity Care' Requirements

…, which represents nearly 5,000 nonprofit hospitals, is objecting to a plan floated by two key … a minimum level of free care that nonprofit hospitals would be required to provide to the poor. The … . It would place new requirements on nonprofit hospitals and punish groups that fail to meet them. … , the association said they were upset that hospitals could not count bad debts as part of their … charity care. They said many nonprofit hospitals already provide a lot of uncompensated care …
(06/03/2009)

Senator Tells Hospitals To Stop Protesting Form 990 Changes

…is using tough talk to try to get nonprofit hospitals to scale back their opposition to proposed … possible regulatory changes aimed at nonprofit hospitals. During the discussion, the Iowa Senator said he … hopes to be able to persuade nonprofit hospitals to make changes without the need for new federal … regulations. But he said that if nonprofit hospitals continue to push for what he calls a “ … legislation that would create stringent rules for hospitals. “While everyone talks about the need for …
(10/31/2007)

Nonprofit Hospitals To Face Senate Scrutiny

…Grassley isn’t convinced that nonprofit hospitals are doing enough to earn their tax breaks. And he … introduce legislation that would make nonprofit hospitals provide more charity care to retain their tax- … would focus on potential reforms of nonprofit hospitals. The discussion — set for Tuesday, October … is a proposal that would require nonprofit hospitals to spend at least 5 percent of their annual … the issues we’ve seen regarding nonprofit hospitals, but this is an important discussion to help me …
(10/24/2007)

Site Takes Aim at Nonprofit Hospitals' Finances

…it in the financial practices of many nonprofit hospitals — an issue he believes does not get enough … about the financial practices of nonprofit hospitals. Recent posts on the site point to a building … -care institutions, asks readers why nonprofit hospitals aren’t using some of their reserves to … reduce costs for patients. “Not-for-profit hospitals have become very profitable,” the ad’ … 8220;Newly posted data suggests that tax-exempt hospitals are contributing to the rising cost of health …
(07/22/2008)

Consumer Group Seek to Change Rules for Nonprofit Hospitals

…to change the standards that govern nonprofit hospitals. The organization on Thursday said it has sent a … Grassley of Iowa that Congress require nonprofit hospitals to provide free care equivalent to at least 5 … nonprofit status. It also calls on nonprofit hospitals to provide free care for all patients up to 200 … ;s other agenda items. What do you think? Should hospitals be required to provide additional care — or …
(09/28/2007)

Senate Aide Says IRS Could Tighten Rules on Nonprofit Hospitals

…to tighten the requirements on nonprofit hospitals for retaining their tax-exempt status. But she … of how much “community benefit” hospitals must provide were loosened by the IRS in 1965, … has repeatedly expressed concern that nonprofit hospitals are operating too much like for-profit entities … IRS estimated that 79 percent of the tax-exempt hospitals spent 10 percent or less of their revenues on … legislation to tighten regulations for tax-exempt hospitals, he hopes that the new reporting requirements and …
(09/16/2008)

IRS Urged to Scale Back Reporting Requirements for Hospitals

…back the reporting requirements for nonprofit hospitals when the tax agency adopts a new version of the … in 2009, includes a schedule that would require hospitals to disclose more information about their finances … will place a disproportionate burden on these hospitals, which are already overburdened with the many … community.” The letter comes as nonprofit hospitals are facing increased scrutiny from the IRS and … strict charity care requirements on nonprofit hospitals if they continued to protest the proposed changes …
(11/14/2007)

Senate Committee Discusses Change in Treatment of Hospitals' Tax Status

…change in how the tax-exempt status of nonprofit hospitals would be handled under federal law. Under the … proposal, “nonprofit hospitals would be required to maintain a minimal level of … , and limit aggressive collection actions. Hospitals that do not meet those requirements would be … status. Under a 40-year-old IRS ruling, nonprofit hospitals must show that they provide benefits to the … they serve. The ruling listed five ways that hospitals can show they qualify. Among them: They can make …
(05/19/2009)

Hospital Fund Raisers Win Victory in Stimulus Measure

…could obtain, it toughened rules that require hospitals to offer patients the option of rejecting any … further communications from hospitals and medical centers. It also increased the …
(02/14/2009)

Senator Baucus Releases Health-Care Proposal for Hospitals

…Senate Finance Committee, would require nonprofit hospitals “to conduct a community health needs … next week. The Baucus proposal also would require hospitals “to adopt, implement, and widely publicize … by private tax-exempt, taxable, and government hospitals as well as the cost of community benefit … activities incurred by private tax-exempt hospitals.” — Grant Williams …
(09/16/2009)