Commentary: WV Hospitals Overstate Charity Care, Undercount Bad Debt
In a commentary piece, the author argues that West Virginia's non-profit hospitals are failing to deliver on the charity care obligations tied to their tax-exempt status as federal Medicaid changes under H.R. 1 threaten to cut enrollment by up to 75,000 people. The author cites West Virginia Hospital Association data showing charity care averages just 0.9% of net patient revenue, with hospitals writing off more in bad debt ($103 million) than they forgave in charity care ($79 million), while inflating "community benefit" totals by including provider tax payments and Medicare shortfalls excluded under Catholic Health Association standards. The piece points to Texas and Oregon as models that condition tax exemption on meeting charity care standards or require financial screening before collections. The author urges West Virginia's upcoming legislative session to mandate true charity care and pre-collection financial screening.