California Nurses' Union Advocates for Setting Minimum Charity Care Levels for Non-Profit Hospitals

Over the past few decades, many health care professionals have expressed their concern regarding non-profit facility's tax-exempt status and the amount of charitable care they deliver. To this point, the California Nurses Association has called for California legislatures to institute a minimum level of charitable care non-profit institutions must deliver if they are to continue receiving government financed subsidies and benefits. With much of the charitable care delivered in California falling on financially restricted public hospitals, the CNA has requested for stringent requirements for non-profit hospitals to utilize at least 8% of their revenue for the delivery of charitable care.

To read more about the CNA's efforts, click here.

Nurses Without Borders

Last week, Karen Stabiner, of the New York Times, described a range of charitable organizations nurses participate in across the country. Ms. Stabiner detailed the work of the faith community nurse movement, which contrary to its name, is not limited to individuals of any one religion. While these nurses do not provide direct health services, they assist elderly in day to day activities such as driving or helping them with any questions they might have regarding health insurance. These nurses provide critical time to rest for tired, over burdened caregivers who have little to no free time of their own.

Click here to read the fascinating article.