Report: Oregon hospitals’ charity care spending continues to climb

Oregon’s hospitals are again spending more on charity care despite having one of the lowest rates of uninsured residents in the country, according to a report released by the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. Median charity care as a percentage of total charges increased from 1.1 percent in second-quarter 2016 to 1.7 percent in second-quarter 2018, with an increase in seasonally-adjusted charity care in seven of the last eight quarters, the report indicates. “These numbers show that, despite expanded coverage, many Oregonians are uninsured or can’t pay the deductible in their health plan,” said OAHHS Executive Vice President Andy Van Pelt. “Hospitals treat everyone regardless of ability to pay, but it’s important to note the increases in charity care indicate lack of adequate coverage. That’s an issue our state needs to continue to tackle.”