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Look at most any hospital in America and you'll find an engine of economic development, but not all are equal in their community benefit.
The economic impact of a hospital is felt locally, through direct spending on such things as payroll, purchase of goods and services, and the financing of new construction. A hospital also exerts indirect economic impact by being a magnet for other businesses that benefit from close proximity to such a dynamic and multi-faceted endeavor.
In addition, hospitals inevitably bring a significant "community benefit" to the communities they serve. This is a specific industry term that describes the broad variety of discretionary, benevolent activities that impact education and public welfare, as well as the quality of healthcare. Community benefit includes such things as providing charity care for the uninsured and providing vital healthcare, education, and research programs -- many of which operate at a loss -- for the community. It also includes the value of employees' personal involvement in civic, charitable or professional organizations.
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Community Benefit