California Hospitals’ Charity Care Dropped 33% From 2011 To 2016

On June 13, 2018, the California Nurses Association (CNA) reported a 33% drop in charity care provided by California's non-profit, general acute hospitals between 2011 and 2016. This is a decrease from $985 million in 2011, to $651 million in 2016. Charity care is defined as free or discounted care that hospitals provide to consumers under the hospital’s financial assistance policy. The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) defines charity care by contrasting charity care and bad debt. According to OSHPD, "the determination of what is classified as ... charity care can be made by . . .