Press Release  MASSACHUSETTS HOSPITALS AND HMOS REPORT CONTRIBUTING $1.05 BILLION IN COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN FISCAL YEAR 2022

BOSTON — Reports filed with AG’s Office Show Investments in Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Programs, and Social Determinants of Health  

Today, Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office announced that in Fiscal Year 2022, Massachusetts hospitals and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) contributed $1.05 billion in total Community Benefits expenditures, according to reports submitted by the hospitals and HMOs and published by the AG’s Office.  

These reports mark the third year of reporting Community Benefits under the Attorney General’s Office’s updated Community Benefits Guidelines, which encourage non-profit hospitals and HMOs to adopt a framework centered around health equity while promoting investments in key social determinants of health. 

“This year’s reports underscore the continued investment of our health care system to foster healthy communities across the Commonwealth,” said AG Campbell, “Through these community benefits, our hospitals and HMOs strengthen diverse community programs to address community health needs, particularly in the areas of mental health and substance use disorder.”  

A total of 57 hospitals filed Community Benefits reports for fiscal year 2022, covering the period from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022.  Forty-eight nonprofit hospitals reported contributing $840 million in total Community Benefits expenditures, a 5% increase from last year.  Nine for-profit hospitals reported contributing $64 million in total Community Benefits expenditures.  Five HMOs reported contributing $144 million in total Community Benefits expenditures. Across hospitals and HMOs, this year’s reports show an increase in funding for Community Benefits programs related to mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.  

Many hospitals and HMOs implemented Community Benefits programs aimed at addressing social determinants of health, including the following:  

• Baystate Medical Center’s 413Cares is a program that connects residents of Western MA to needed services such as housing, behavioral health support, and more. For Baystate Health, it is a resource that bridges the gap between medical care and social services to achieve overall well-being for our patients and community. 413Cares is convened and managed by the Public Health Institute of Western MA.  Baystate Health is a funder of this initiative. 413Cares partners with local efforts such as the Hampden County Community Health Improvement Plan network on Substance Use prevention campaigns and the Alliance for Digital Equity expansion. Baystate Health advocates for the use of this database in all four of its health system hospital communities.   
• Shriners Hospital Boston’s Team Brave Community Re-Integration Program in partnership with the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation to provide learning and engagement opportunities for patients to re-enter the community after a traumatic burn injury. Their therapists arrange field trips off-site with the goal of allowing patients to practice their coping skills, build self-confidence, build physical stamina, interact with peers, and have fun.  Additionally, Shriners Children’s School Re-entry Program is a unique and dynamic resource available to patients returning to their school communities after a traumatic injury and an extended hospital stay.  A child who has experienced a severe burn or other injury that results in a significant change to their appearance, loss of limb(s), limited mobility, or other complications benefits from this structured school re-entry program. 
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts demonstrated a commitment to improving the health of Massachusetts residents. Its Foundation’s Strengthening the Voice for Access grant increases access to health care services by providing operating support to Massachusetts organizations to strengthen community-based policy activities, increase citizen participation in public policy development, and promote collaboration among statewide policy and advocacy organizations on two key priorities for vulnerable populations: ensuring health care coverage and addressing health care affordability.   
• South Shore Hospital’s Healthy Aging Connection invests in the aging population.  Through its portal and newsletter, it provides injury-prevention information in the community, with a focus on strategies to avoid traumatic injuries from falls - a leading cause of death among those ages 65 and older.  The Healthy Aging Connection offers community education and exercise programs for improved balance, gait, muscle and fall prevention, offering a therapeutic pool program to any individual with arthritis to increase motion and strength.  In collaboration with the South Shore YMCA, they provide therapeutic programs at a low or reduced cost, further enhancing injury prevention and disease management.  The hospital is collaborating with the Town of Weymouth on the Age Friendly Communications initiatives and is working with the Mass in Motion program to further assist at-risk seniors.  

The Community Benefits Program is managed by Health Care Analyst Maeva Veillard and Division Chief Sandra Wolitzky of AG Campbell’s Health Care Division. To learn more about Community Benefits or access past reports, visit the AG’s Community Benefits webpage.  

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