Authors

  1. Bakken, Erik BA
  2. Kindig, David MD, PhD

Abstract

The initial analysis of the revised Internal Revenue Service Schedule H community benefit report revealed that only about 5% of these dollars are allocated for community health improvement activities. These results have prompted suggestions for improved community health via community benefit reform, given the poor performance of the US population health system. However, if such a reform were enacted, it would have differential impacts across states due to variation in nonprofit hospitals, expenditures, and community benefit allocations. We model this variation, indicating that the range in per capita benefit across states would approximately range from $30 to $335. This variation should be taken into account as community benefit reform is considered.