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The Business of Health Care Report
Today's topic is the importance of
philanthropy in health care. World events since Sept. 11, 2001,
have had a major economic impact in this country, and the war in Iraq only heightened
this economic stress. With government programs such as
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program already facing cutbacks,
philanthropy is needed more than ever to fill in the gaps, especially as the nation's
hospitals attempt to provide care for growing numbers of uninsured and expand facilities
after years of being unable to do so. More than 41 million Americans are
uninsured, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the cost of charity care provided by
American hospitals has climbed above $21 billion. Although nonprofit hospitals receive
very limited financial help for providing care to low-income populations from state and
local governments, the support falls substantially below the need. As a result, philanthropy becomes
the bridge between what is needed and what is received. Texas Health Resources hospitals have
two foundations, the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation and the Harris Methodist Health
Foundation, which work outside the hospital walls to build relationships with the community.
Through the partnership with committed donors, the foundations enhance the delivery of care
by providing financial support for new facility construction, medical research, education
and technology. Without a doubt, one of the greatest
expressions of humanity is the willingness to help others - a goal that is taken to heart
every day at Texas Health Resources, where the mission is to improve the health of the
people in the communities we serve. Now, perhaps more than ever, that
mission is impacted by philanthropy and by others sharing this vision. For Texas Health Resources
and its family of hospitals - Harris Methodist Hospitals, Presbyterian
Healthcare System and Arlington Memorial Hospital - I'm CEO
Doug Hawthorne
with "The Business of Health Care Report" on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD.
©
2003 Texas Health Resources |
I'm Doug Hawthorne, President and CEO of Texas Health Resources, with
"The Business of Health Care Report" on 