Nonprofit hospitals are supposed to provide charity care to patients who struggle to afford medical bills. However, many nonprofit hospitals don’t meet clear standards for this care, and policies vary widely. To address this, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced its support for stronger, more consistent standards in charity care.
Why the AMA Supports Change
The AMA believes nonprofit hospitals must do more to support low-income patients and offer community benefits. As AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH, explained, these changes are crucial for making healthcare more affordable for people facing financial challenges due to medical bills.
The AMA’s new policy advocates for:
- Clear eligibility requirements for charity care, so patients can understand if they qualify
- Transparency in how hospitals report their charity care
- Standardized policies to reduce inconsistencies across hospitals
What Stronger Standards Could Mean for Patients
With firmer standards, patients could get clearer guidelines on whether they qualify for financial assistance. This consistency would help ensure that all nonprofit hospitals meet their obligations to support their communities and offer real financial relief.
For more information on navigating hospital bills or applying for charity care, visit Dollar For, a nonprofit dedicated to helping patients eliminate medical debt.