Published on January 11, 2012

Methodist Medical Center Contributes More Than $63,500,000 in Community Benefits

Hospital’s Focus is on Needs of Peoria Area Community

Illinois hospitals contributed annual community benefits of more than $4.6 billion in programs and services in their 2009-10 fiscal year, according to the fifth annual report issued by the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA). Illinois Hospitals: Cornerstones of Health, Foundations of the Community focuses on how hospitals in Illinois respond to the evolving health care needs of patients in their communities as they strive to combat obesity and diabetes, lend a helping hand when needed, and enhance the services they provide in a multitude of ways.

During fiscal year 2010, Methodist Medical Center contributed annual community benefits of more than $63,500,000 in programs and services in their most recent fiscal year.

As reported under the Illinois Community Benefits Act, Methodist Medical Center provided:

• $41,000,000 absorbed  because of underpayments by government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid;
• $8,800,000 in health care services for patients who were unable to pay;
• $6,700,000 in free and discounted care at cost;
• $1,300,000 to educate new physicians, nurses and other medical professionals;
• $3,000,000 to subsidize money-losing services(e.g., Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Behavioral Health Services ), including almost $250,000 for the areas only in-school health program;
• $147,000 in research on innovative, life-saving treatments and cures;
• $8,000 in language assistance services; and
• $2,700,000 in donations, volunteer work and other services.

Despite the continuing economic downturn and Illinois’ challenging political and fiscal environments, the state's hospitals contributed not only services and programs to benefit their communities but also billions of dollars in tangible economic benefits as major employers, job creators and purchasers of goods and services. Illinois hospitals pump $75.1 billion into the state’s economy each year, including more than $14.8 billion in salaries and benefits to employ nearly a quarter of a million people. In nearly half of the state's counties, hospitals are among the top three employers.