University Hospitals Invests $720 Million to Improve Health Outcomes and Address Economic Disparities

CLEVELAND - University Hospitals' community health investment totaled $720 million in 2024, supporting charity care for uninsured patients, expanding access to maternal and child health services, launching wellness programs tailored to local needs, and creating economic opportunities through job training and education.

The health system's efforts to improve health outcomes and address economic disparities throughout Northeast Ohio are detailed in the 2024 Community Health Investment Report.

"As Northeast Ohio's hometown healthcare team and the third-largest healthcare employer in the state, we recognize the responsibility and privilege we have to make meaningful change," said Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, UH Chief Executive Officer, and Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. "We are committed to taking care of patients beyond the walls of our hospitals through outreach to our surrounding communities; developing the healthcare workforce of the future through educational programs and training; and leading medical research and clinical trials that offer expanded access for those in need and alleviate healthcare disparities."

The health system utilizes Community Health Needs Assessments, which evaluate the overall health status of Northeast Ohio, identify critical health-related needs and help us prioritize services that have the greatest impact. As part of our overall strategy, UH focuses on three priority areas to maximize impact: Maternal & Child Health, Well-being and Economic Opportunity.

"Our approach starts with listening. By regularly engaging with community members and leaders, we're not only caring for our community, we're helping it thrive," explained UH Chief Government & Community Relations Officer Heidi L. Gartland, MHA, FACHE, CDM. "We continue to build on UH's nearly 160-year legacy by ensuring investments align with our values and priority needs, and by leveraging our more than 32,000 caregivers to work as a team to make a larger impact in the neighborhoods we serve."

UH follows Internal Revenue Service guidelines to determine allowable community benefit contribution. UH's community benefit investments include care provided to Medicaid patients at a significant loss, since the state pays the health system well below the cost of that care ($207 million); clinical education and training for the next generation of healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses ($123 million); medical research investments ($74 million); charity care to patients unable to pay their bills ($72 million); as well as community health and wellness programs and services in surrounding neighborhoods ($35 million).

The largest component of community benefit investment reflects UH's ever-growing care provided to those covered by a healthcare safety net for low-income Ohioans, called Medicaid. Medicaid reimbursement, which is set by the state of Ohio, pays well below the cost of care provided to those enrolled in the Medicaid program. UH underwrote this loss, reflecting its commitment to community health for all patients, regardless of their insurance coverage. Additionally, UH has intentionally invested in under-resourced neighborhoods where coverage is primarily Medicaid and charity care.

In terms of education and training, UH strives to prepare future generations of caregivers. Approximately 400 medical students train at the health system each year, along with 1,200 physician residents and fellows, and thousands of nursing students and other health professionals. As an anchor healthcare institution on the forefront of research, UH serves the community by engaging in the full spectrum of research, including basic, translational, clinical and health service research, in conjunction with the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Additionally, UH invested $209 million in unreimbursed Medicare costs. UH provides services to many patients who are insured by Medicare and Medicare Advantage payers. Because these payers reimburse at less than the cost of providing care, and at rates set by the government, they typically do not keep pace with inflation, and therefore UH sustains a loss on care provided.

UH also provides outreach programs, such as no-cost health screenings, healthy cooking classes, exercise classes and healthcare resources, in order to enhance the health of the communities it serves.

Some of the key efforts highlighted in UH's 2024 Community Health Investment Report, include:

• Maternal & Child Health:
  • UH and LifeAct provided more than 50,000 students in schools across Ohio with suicide prevention and stress management education during the school year.
  • More than 5,400 meals were served to children through the Summer Lunch Program.
  • More than 3,900 children received vision check-ups through UH Rainbow Ahuja Center for Women & Children.
  • Nearly 2,000 people received mammograms via the UH Mobile Mammography Unit.
  • Rainbow Connects served more than 2,000 families via the walk-in resource center, providing diapers, emergency formula and food.
  • More than 1,950 patients were screened for social needs at the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Ahuja Center for Women & Children.
  • Approximately 560 people were helped by Medical Legal Partnership Services.
  • Nearly 200 women participated in Centering Pregnancy, with many receiving one-on-one support from a mental health specialist.

• Well-being:
• • Nearly 150,000 community residents participated in early detection screenings, health education, support groups, fitness programs and health-related events through UH hospitals.
  • More than 5,500 people received fruits, vegetables and other items via a UH Food for Life Market®.
  • Nearly 3,200 residents engaged in health education, fitness and nutrition classes through the three UH Community Wellness Centers in Glenville, Bedford and Richmond Heights.

• Economic Opportunity:
• • More than 450 community members participated in the UH Youth Summit.
  • More than 250 people were hired via community-focused workforce pipeline programs.
  • Nearly 80 high school students participated in the UH Future Nurse Academy.
  • Approximately 60 students participated in the UH Health Scholars program.

View or download the complete 2024 Community Health Investment Report here:

https://www.uhhospitals.org/about-uh/publications/uh-community-health-investment-report/2023-community-health-investment-report