Mass. health organizations provided $801M in public benefits in 2018
Photo | Grant Welker
Marlborough Hospital, part of the UMass Memorial Health Care system
Massachusetts hospitals and health plans contribute hundreds of millions of dollars worth of benefits to residents, and Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office is helping those entities get the word out about the good they do.
Hospitals provided $641 million and health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, contributed $160 million, Healey's office announced on Monday. Much of that took place in free or discounted hospital care for patients, from HMOs, or contributions to a state fund paying for uninsured and underinsured residents who do not have access to affordable health coverage.
Highlights of what Central Massachusetts entities reported for their public benefits for 2018:
— Athol Hospital, Athol: Provided 3,003 individuals with health insurance counseling and financial assistance; partnered with Athol Public Schools to address food insecurity by providing 1,600 backpacks filled with food for the weekend to assist to 50 low-income youth and their families; distributed 150 biohazard containers and offered free disposal of sharps and needles reducing risk to families and waste management and landfill staff.
— Fallon Health, Worcester: Distributed more than $1.2 million to programs meeting the goals of Fallon's Community Benefits program; employees volunteered 5,370 hours, including 1,723 hours were for Fallon-driven initiatives; donated a van to St. John's Food for the Poor in Worcester.
— Harrington Hospital, Southbridge: Educated more than 1,500 community individuals on hands-free CPR and cardiac arrest information; educated more than 1,300 teens and young adults on safe and healthy relationships, online security, vaping and bullying prevention; and provided more than 500 free blood pressure screenings to community members with joint education on cardiac disease and stroke.
— Heywood Hospital, Gardner: Distributed $124,000 grants to 14 local organizations that provide programs in line with the hospital's community benefit areas of focus; provided training on opioid overdose prevention and Narcan administration to 329 community members; offered nutrition education and physical activities to 80 elementary students and provided 6,400 backpacks filled with food for the weekend to 200 low-income youth and their families through a partnership with Gardner Public Schools.
— Marlborough Hospital, Marlborough: Assisting 429 residents of the community in enrolling in MassHealth or other health insurance programs; held annual senior health fair to increase access and educate seniors and their families, including free glucose and cholesterol screenings for 85 seniors; and held annual Safe Summer Fun Day health fair, distributing 375 bike helmets and offering educational activities and materials regarding bike safety and access to health care.
— MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham: Held community health fairs to reach more than 300 seniors, including heart screenings and health educational materials; provided free space for support groups and community agencies, educational programs and health screenings; and held screenings, lectures, and speakers bureau to emphasize wellness and preventative medicine to help people participate more actively in their own care.
— Milford Regional Medical Center, Milford: Held senior-focused luncheon and Milford Youth Center youth fitness program; collected more than 1,000 units of blood through blood donor center; and held a community event to encourage mindfulness.
— Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester: Supported blood and organ donation events and supported the fight against opioid abuse.
— UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, Clinton: Provided four scholarships to local high school graduates attending college and pursuing a career in health care; assisted 3,089 people in applying for financial assistance; and employed 28 interns in departments throughout the hospital.
— UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester: Distributed the first of nearly $1.6 million over the next five years as part of the ambulatory surgery center's determination of need funding to help underserved residents; enrolled 90 students in early-prevention asthma care program; and provided medical and dental needs through a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities to care for more than 2,200 patients at 20 schools, and more than 1,400 dental screenings.
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