As Ranks of Uninsured Grow, Minnesota’s Hospitals Are Among Least Charitable in Nation

Summary: Minnesota hospitals are supposed to be nonprofits, which means they get big tax breaks. In return, they are expected to help people who cannot afford their medical bills. However, a new investigation shows that Minnesota hospitals are some of the least charitable in the entire country.

For example, a woman named Cori got cervical cancer. She had a job making $41,000 a year, but she still got stuck with $8,000 in medical bills. The hospital, CentraCare, said she made too much money to get financial help and eventually sued her. Nationally, hospitals spend about 2.4% of their budgets on charity care, but Minnesota hospitals spend only a third of that.

Many hospitals also make it extremely difficult to apply for help. Patients have to fill out long forms, share their bank statements, and even report if they own farm animals. Lawmakers are now trying to make the rules simpler so sick people don't go broke just trying to get better.

For more details, see KFF Health News at kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/medical-debt-uninsured-minnesota-hospitals-among-least-charitable/ (opens in new tab)