United Press International - Health Business - State laws expand hospital charity rules

United Press International - Health Business - State laws expand hospital charity rules: "State laws expand hospital charity rules

By OLGA PIERCE
UPI Health Business Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- State and local governments are considering laws that would force tax-exempt hospitals to earn their keep through stricter charity requirements and ensure that patients who could benefit know that help is available.

'There is a growing concern nationwide that perhaps hospitals aren't providing as much charity care as they should,' Jennifer Tolbert, policy analyst at the Kaiser Family Foundation health policy research group, told United Press International. 'Many hospitals have charity provisions on the books, but consensus is patients may not be being informed.'

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced Sunday that her first legislative proposal will be a law requiring hospitals to tell low-income and uninsured patients about charity funding available for non-emergency care."