Northern Region 2010 Community Benefits Report

Ministry Sacred Heart-Saint Mary’s Hospitals, Ministry Howard Young Health Care and Ministry Medical Group-Northern Region 2010 Community Benefits Report

Catholic Health Care has its origins in a faith-based response to the health care needs of the poor and other vulnerable people. Each year, Ministry Health Care organizations contribute thousands of hours and millions of dollars of health care services to our local communities. This commitment and dedication makes Ministry Health Care organizations agents of change in the effort to achieve the common good for the communities they serve and society. Community benefit programs go beyond the normal health care services and are intended to help meet needs of local communities with a focus on services to the poor and underserved.

In fiscal year 2010, Ministry Sacred Heart-Saint Mary’s Hospitals community benefit expenses and contributions totaled $16,529,843. Following is a breakdown of this total:

• $14,163,543 for unpaid costs of Medicare and Medicaid
• $2,040,220 worth of free and discounted hospital care
• $323,008 in support for community programs and special projects
• $3,072 to support education and research related activities

Ministry Howard Young Health Care, which includes Howard Young Medical Center and Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital,community benefit expenses and contributions totaled $ 11,233,974. Following is a breakdown of this total:

• $10,434,094 for unpaid costs of Medicare and Medicaid
• $661,949 worth of free and discounted hospital care
• $111,033 in support for community programs and special projects
• $26,898 to support education and research related activities

Ministry Medical Group in the northern region community benefit expenses and contributions totaled $10,076,378. Following is a breakdown of this total:

• $9,126,000 for unpaid costs of Medicare and Medicaid
• $871,000 worth of free and discounted clinic care
• $3,251 in support for community programs and special projects
• $76,127 to support education and research related activities

Not only does Ministry’s care and commitment to a healthy community happen inside the hospital and clinic walls. Ministry Health Care employees keep patients first in everything they do by living the mission to ‘further the healing ministry of Jesus by continually improving the health and well being of all people, especially the poor, in the communities they serve.” Ministry’s staff is committed to helping the community in many ways, lending a hand for those most in need.

Annually the wide array of benefits provided to the communities in northern Wisconsin through Ministry’s Community Benefits Program is substantial. However, this vast community benefit is often not understood by key audiences or the public. For more information regarding Ministry Sacred Heart-Saint Mary’s Hospitals or Ministry Medical Group contact Jodi Hanson, Public & Community Relations Manager at 715-361-2874 and for more information regarding Ministry Howard Young Health Care contact Jennifer Kaminski, Public & Community Relations Manager at 715-356-8368.