Safety Net Hospitals Raise Concerns on DSH Cuts

The report also found that safety net hospitals:

Averaged almost three times the volume of inpatient admissions seen in other acute care hospitals and exceeded average admissions within their markets by 44%.

Provided nearly $128 billion in inpatient and outpatient services, nearly half of which was for low-income patients.

Trained more than 19,000 full-time equivalent medical and dental residents and more than 300 FTE allied health professionals.

Reported uncompensated care averaging 16% of costs, compared with 6% of costs for hospitals nationally.

Represented 37% of the level 1 trauma care and 57% of the burn care beds in the 10 largest U.S. cities. In 31 communities nationwide, safety net hospitals are either the only level 1 trauma center or the only trauma center of any level.