In South Puget Sound, investments by Providence Swedish in the community in 2023 included $72 million in unpaid cost of Medicaid and other means-tested government programs and $12 million in free and discounted care for the uninsured and underinsured, according to an annual report released by the health care provider this week.
Providence stated that its investments included $12 million toward health professional education and research, $6 million in subsidized health services and $226,000 in community health improvement and strategic partnerships.
“For more than 160 years, the Providence family of organizations has served as a vital safety net for those who are vulnerable,” Providence stated in a news release. “Our steadfast commitment to responding to community need is one of the many ways we live out our mission and work toward health for a better world.”
According to Providence, the 2023 “Annual Report to Our Communities” highlights how Providence partnered in the seven states where it operates to address “the most difficult public health crisis of our time.”
“By focusing on the development of physicians in our residency programs, we strive to ensure access to health care for all while remaining dedicated to serving those who are most vulnerable,” Providence Swedish South Puget Sound Chief Executive Darin Goss stated in a news release. “We take pride in the collaboration between our residents, faculty, and community partners to reach out and assist those in need wherever they may be.”
The entire Providence Swedish South Puget Sound Community Benefit Report document can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/5uz6zrjp.
“This significant investment shows how focused we are on addressing the root causes of community health issues,” Providence President and CEO Rod Hochman stated. “Working with our long-standing community partners, we are identifying areas of greatest need and finding new, innovative ways to improve the health outcomes of our communities and make sure everyone has equitable access to quality care. These partnerships are great examples of collaborating to transform health care.”
In the South Puget Sound, Providence’s operations include Providence St. Peter Hospital, a 372-bed facility founded in 1887; Providence Centralia Hospital, a 128-bed facility founded in 1926; and Providence Medical Group, including more than 40 clinics with more than 1,000 primary, specialty care and hospital-based providers
