Memorial Health Named National Leader
Think-Tank: Health System is 15th in Nation for Community Spending Over Tax Breaks

[July 12, 2022] 

Memorial Health, which includes Lincoln Memorial Hospital, was one of the top 25 nonprofit hospital systems in the nation whose spending on charity care and community investment exceeded the value of their tax exemptions.

The national ranking, known as the Lown Institute Hospitals Index, listed the Springfield-based health system as 15th in the nation for “fair share” surplus, meaning its charity care and community investment exceeded the total of its tax breaks. It was the only health system in Illinois to be listed among the top 25 nationwide.

“We take seriously our commitment to give back to our community,” said Dolan Dalpoas, president and CEO of Lincoln Memorial Hospital. “This ranking shows that we are living our values of integrity and stewardship. We have been entrusted with ensuring that our community is resourced in ways that address the social determinants of health and improve lives.”

Two examples of that commitment are the free health screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid profile offered at The LMH Market every second and fourth Saturday while the market is open from May through September and the free weekly breastfeeding support group at the hospital for mothers and their newborns.

The think-tank’s report said Memorial Health spent $31 million more on charity care and community investment than it received in tax breaks. Memorial Health was one of five nonprofit health systems in the state to have a “fair share” surplus.

“We believe we have a responsibility to be good stewards of our resources as we work toward our mission to improve lives and build stronger communities through better health,” said Ed Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health. “This national report shows our priorities are in the right place to fulfill that mission.”

The Lown Institute calculated the “fair share” spending for more than 1,800 hospitals across 275 nonprofit health systems based on their 2019 IRS Form 990 filings.

Illinois ranked 46 out of all 50 states for fair share spending. Nationally, out of the 275 health systems evaluated, only 48 spent more on charity care and community investment than the estimated value of their tax breaks.

[Michael Leathers]