All across the country, from New Hampshire to California, local communities are defending and improving their access to health care through campaigns to increase the "community benefits" provided by hospitals, HMOs and insurers. In some states, regulators and legislators have taken critical leadership in this process by defining the obligations of health care institutions to provide community benefits and work with the community.
Community benefits are the unreimbursed goods and services, provided by health care institutions, that address community-identified health needs and concerns. Some common examples include "charity" care at hospitals, premium subsidies by insurers, health education campaigns, enhanced interpreter services, and support for community programs such as domestic violence services.
Community Catalyst is a national nonprofit advocacy organization which assists state and local groups in expanding community benefit resources and protecting health services in the face of healthcare restructuring.
New Hampshire Citizen Alliance spearheaded the successful effort to pass New Hampshire's 1999 community benefits legislation. It assists communities in organizing to ensure implemention at the local level.
The presenters will share their experiences in engaging communities and providers in community benefits efforts and in using regulation to ensure meaningful community benefits contributions by institutions.
At the end of the session, participants will understand:
1. The scope of the community benefits concept 2. The range of community benefits laws and regulations around the country and strategies used by regulators to implement these policies. 3. Strategies and opportunities for communities to engage in community benefits effort
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will understand: 1. The scope of the community benefits concept 2. The range of community benefits laws and regulations around the country and strategies used by regulators to implement these policies. 3. Strategies and opportunities for communities to engage in community benefits effort
Keywords: Community Benefits, Community Participation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Community Catalyst
New Hampshire Citizen Alliance
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment