North Carolina’s hospitals and health systems are anchors in our communities, supporting the local economy as a major employer and as a healthcare safety net provider. Our state is home to some of the most advanced academic medical centers in the nation, where cutting-edge research is transforming medicine. A network of teaching hospitals supports training for tomorrow’s physicians, nurses and other medical professionals. Mobile screening vans criss-cross North Carolina’s 100 counties, providing our neighbors with access to preventive care as well as early diagnosis and treatment.
But today’s health systems are more than just places to go when you are sick. We are partnering with others in our communities – from care providers to business owners to individuals – to increase wellness, coordinate care delivery and control healthcare costs. We are focused on collaborative, value-driven approaches to improve the health of our communities.
Hospital Benefits By County, Interactive MapsHospitals and health systems contribute to the health and wellness of the people in their communities every day — with services like free and low-cost wellness education and health evaluations — while also making sure that everyone in the community receives the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.
- Investing in a Healthy Workforce
You may not think about it much, but healthy employees with healthy family members make running a business that much easier. While employers expect workers to miss a certain number of work days each year, excessive absences can equate to decreased productivity and can have a major effect on company finances, morale and other factors. Healthy workplaces support higher productivity, lower absenteeism and happier employees. - Investing in a Healthy Community
Hospitals and health systems deliver valuable low-cost and free-of-charge services that contribute to the overall health of their communities. We reinvest in our communities with transformational programs like coordinating patient services and care after patient discharge, community health screenings, wellness education, and other community outreach programs like farmer’s markets and food pantries.
Hospitals and health systems are a critical part of the healthcare safety net across our state, providing care for all, regardless of ability to pay. North Carolina’s hospitals are among the nation’s best in providing the most highly advanced care for critically ill newborns, burn victims, organ transplant recipients, individuals struggling with mental health and substance use issues, and others with complex medical problems. But the caring goes far beyond the walls of the hospital, into outreach clinics for homeless individuals, mobile screenings in underserved communities, and telemedicine services to increase access to care.
- Charity Care
Like churches, colleges and YMCAs, non-profit hospitals exist to support the public good. North Carolina hospitals and health systems — even those that are for-profit — provided nearly $3 billion in charity care in 2016. - Unreimbursed Costs
Often lacking a “medical home,” people without health insurance disproportionately use the hospital Emergency Department to access care. - Medicaid and Medicare Reimbursement
Medicaid is a critical payment source for essential medical services for vulnerable populations. In North Carolina, Medicaid provides health coverage for low-income citizens, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. About 16 of every 100 hospital patients are covered by Medicaid, and it is jointly funded by federal and state government. The state’s “share” is about one-third of the total Medicaid dollars that hospitals receive, while the federal share is the other two-thirds. North Carolina hospitals contribute toward the state’s share of caring for the Medicaid population through an assessment program.
Having a hospital at the ready to respond to disasters and address the needs of ailing citizens is as essential as good roads and favorable taxes. Hospitals must maintain trained personnel, specialized equipment and supplies to prepare for any emergency, no matter how small or large.
- Disaster Preparedness
During Hurricane Matthew in 2016, North Carolina’s hospitals and health systems dedicated a tremendous amount of resources to keep patients, healthcare employees and the community safe. Being ready to respond when nature strikes or when other events occur requires regular personnel training and specialized equipment for which health systems are rarely reimbursed.- Watch a tribute to employees and administrators who demonstrated what it truly means to be #PreparedtoCare during Hurricane Matthew.
- Read how Cone Health prepared for a “mass casualty” event.
- See how UNC REX Hospital earned the National Weather Service’s Storm Ready Certification.
- Learn more about Vidant Medical Center’s week-long hurricane drill to ensure its staff is prepared to care.
- 24/7/365 Care
Hospitals are unique in that we are one of only a few businesses that must remain open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Hospitals often make accommodations during treacherous weather conditions to ensure that there is not a lapse in care for their neighbors.
A thriving hospital contributes to the economy of your area in many ways. To illustrate the scope of hospitals and health systems’ economic impact in North Carolina, NCHA commissioned RTI International to conduct research and develop a report based on 2020 data. The report’s findings included that:
- Health systems and hospitals generated $40 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) impacts, or about 6% of total state GDP in 2020
- Health systems and hospitals directly created 268,000 jobs, making them one of the 10 largest employers in 92 out of North Carolina’s 100 counties
- 45 counties in North Carolina have a health system or hospital as a top 3 employer
- Altogether, more than 500,000 jobs or 8% of jobs in the state, are supported by health system and hospital activities
- Health systems’ and hospitals’ operations, workers and suppliers paid $2.5 billion in state and local taxes which sustained vital public services such as K-12 education, law enforcement and social services
A strong healthcare system in North Carolina means a strong local economy and a great place for every generation to live. Read the report to learn more.