RENTON, Wash., June 18, 2024 – Providence, a not-for-profit health system serving the Western U.S., today released its “2023 Annual Report to Our Communities.” In 2023, Providence and its affiliates invested nearly $2.1 billion in community benefit programs, including proactive community health improvement programs and free, discounted and uncompensated care. Providence’s significant investment in community benefit represents an increased focus on addressing the root causes of community health issues.
“I am incredibly proud that Providence continues to be here for our communities, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Thank you to everyone at Providence for making this possible. Together, we are meeting the health care needs of our communities, no matter how challenging the environment gets, and are ensuring the Mission of Providence thrives for years to come,” said Rod Hochman, M.D., Providence President and CEO.
Each year, the Providence family of organizations work with long-standing community partners to identify areas of greatest need and develop meaningful solutions through proactive programming, investments and other support. From providing mental health services to Black women and new moms, youth and those experiencing poverty to helping those emerging from homelessness find medical care and employment to helping children in rural communities get nutritious food, Providence invested in initiatives that helped improve health and increase equitable access to quality care in 2023. More than ever, Providence focused on addressing social determinants of health and the root causes of community health issues.
“Understanding our communities and addressing causes of ill health have always been at the core of the Providence Mission,” said Dougal Hewitt, chief mission and sponsorship officer. “By focusing on issues like housing and food insecurity, we are extending the Mission beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics to help prevent illness and make our communities healthier.”
In addition to investing in proactive community health improvement programs, Providence also continued a commitment to ensuring access to vital care, especially for those who are vulnerable. Across Providence ministries and affiliates, more people in need benefited from free and discounted care or “charity care” in 2023 than in 2022. Providence provided 557,000 patients with financial assistance, including free and discounted care, interest-free, long-term payment plans, and assistance in securing health coverage. This is a nearly 15-percent increase year over year and the result of increased outreach to inform patients of financial assistance programs and to help them apply.
The Providence family of organizations also assisted roughly 40,000 previously uninsured patients with enrolling in Medicaid coverage. This 10-percent year-over-year increase is a positive outcome because it means more people have access to the coverage necessary to support their care needs.
Providence’s community benefit programs and strategic investments go deep into the areas we serve, working with other charitable efforts and Mission-driven initiatives for a holistic approach to community investment. View Providence’s 2023 Annual Report to Our Communities here to learn more about these programs, investments and our efforts to make lasting, meaningful impact.
About Providence
Providence is a national, not-for-profit Catholic health system comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 51 hospitals, more than 1,100 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 122,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states – Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at Providence.org.
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