Showing how Wisconsin’s hospitals and health systems are integral parts of their local communities, WHA released its
2019 Community Benefits Report on Dec. 16. Filled with examples of initiatives and programs from every corner of the state, the report highlights just some of the more than $1.9 billion hospitals and health systems contributed in 2018 to their local communities through community benefits and charity care.
“Every day in Wisconsin hospitals and health systems are contributing more than $5 million in care that might not exist in their area but for their involvement,” WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding said. “They are vibrant members of their communities, dedicated to ensuring overall health and well-being of the people they are privileged to serve.”
The report shares highlights from seven distinct areas of the state, describing the impressive range of services and programs hospitals and health systems provide for their communities. The wide variety of these efforts show how they are tailored to the needs of each community, including helping patients who otherwise could not afford opioid addiction treatment, providing school-based therapy for our children to help them maximize their education potential and numerous programs aimed at helping our friends and neighbors gain access to healthy food.
WHA will send an email to hospital public relations and community benefits contacts in late summer/early fall calling for stories for inclusion in the 2020 report. We will also publish a call for stories and reminders in The Valued Voice. If you have questions, contact WHA Communications Manager
Shannon Nelson.