WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite being tax-exempt, nonprofit hospitals across the country are making big money at the expense of their patients. CQC developed the Massachusetts Nonprofit Hospital Scorecard based on recent findings from the Lown Institute, Patient Rights Advocate, the Rand Corporation, and other credible and respected sources about troubling practices at hospitals in Massachusetts. These practices are at odds with what the public expects from charitable organizations, especially since Massachusetts nonprofit hospitals collectively receive hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks each year.

In response to these disturbing findings, Consumers for Quality Care (CQC) released the following statement:

“Nonprofit hospitals in Massachusetts are reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in tax benefits because of their nonprofit status, but many are choosing nonetheless to put profits over patients. Most Massachusetts hospitals, including nonprofit hospitals, are overcharging their patients. Most nonprofit hospitals in the state are also skimping on charity care. Some have policies allowing them to use incredibly aggressive debt collection tactics against their patients, including low-income patients, who can’t afford to pay their medical bills. This isn’t acceptable for hospitals claiming to be ‘charitable’ organizations. These hospitals should be held accountable if they continue to skimp on fulfilling their charitable missions.”