We would like to share the following community benefit news and resources with you. Please visit www.chausa.org/communitybenefit for access to all of CHA's updates and resources on community benefit. CHA has also created a special section on its website focused on COVID-19 resources which can viewed at https://www.chausa.org/newsroom/coronavirus-resources/vaccine.
CHA Resources to Recognize Minority Health Month
Black Maternal Health Week — April 11-17, 2021
CDC Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis
Study Shines Spotlight on Nonprofit, Government Hospitals
Call for Proposals — "The Face of the Person Who is Poor"
Upcoming CHA Events
CHA Resources Update
CHA Resources to Recognize Minority Health Month
In recognition of Minority Health Month, CHA is offering events and resources to help members understand systemic racism's devastating health impacts and how this knowledge needs to inform efforts to address the root causes of health disparities. Resources include:
- We Are Called — Confronting Racism to Achieve Health Equity Conversation Series scheduled on April 28, May 26, June 30, July 28, each from Noon to 12:30 p.m. ET. The conversation topics include why understanding systemic racism is critical to efforts to address health disparities; policy priorities and strategies; how to build trust in communities by working on shared priorities; and changes needed to address bias and promote equity in internal operations.
- Film viewing and panel discussion on April 30 at 1 p.m. ET of "Toxic: A Black Woman's Story", which shows a "day in the life" of a Black woman as she navigates the myriad stressors of a typical day and their effect on her pregnancy and her family. For CHA members only.
- Huddle Reflections and Prayer Cards — Resources to help open conversations about the ministry's call to confront racism and work towards health equity
- CHA Policy Briefs — CHA has developed policy briefs on addressing health equity and the social factors that are at the root of disparities to help the ministry advocate in a united voice on these issues.
To register for these free events and to view resources visit the Minority Health Month webpage.
Black Maternal Health Week — April 11-17, 2021
According to the National Institutes Of Health, "national severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rates have nearly doubled over the past decade, and the incidence of SMM was 166% higher for Black women than White women from 2012 to 2015." Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, was established to raise awareness, inspire activism and strengthen organizing for Black maternal health. Visit the Black Maternal Health Week webpage for resources and to register for the Black Maternal Health conference, which will offer a national space for learning, discussion and mobilization to transform Black maternal health, rights and justice.
CDC Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement on April 8 declaring racism a serious public health threat. The agency is also undertaking several new efforts to accelerate its work to address racism as a fundamental driver of racial and ethnic health inequities in the United States. This includes a new website, "Racism and Health," that will serve as a hub for the agency's efforts and a catalyst for greater education and dialogue on these important issues.
Study Shines Spotlight on Nonprofit, Government Hospitals
Health Affairs recently published a study examining charity care provided by hospitals in different ownership categories. The results show that, in aggregate, nonprofit hospitals spent $2.30 of every $100 in total expenses on charity care, which was less than government ($4.10) and for-profit hospitals ($3.80).
In a statement, the American Hospital Association, which represents many nonprofit facilities, noted the study does not take into account other ways hospitals provide community benefit. These include programs and services that hospitals provide to meet the varied needs of their community, such as help accessing healthy food, educational programs and health screenings.
Call for Proposals — "The Face of the Person Who is Poor"
Call for proposals is now open for the 12th Annual McGinley-Rice Symposium. The theme of this year's meeting is "The Face of the Person Who is Poor". All proposals are due no later than 12 Noon (ET) on Friday, April 16, 2021. For more information visit the symposium webpage.
Upcoming CHA Events
April 28, from Noon to 12:30 p.m. ET - We Are Called Conversation I: Confronting Racism by Achieving Health Equity
This opening conversation will discuss how the events of last year have changed the way health care organizations look at systemic racism as the root cause of health disparities. Two CHA members, Michael Miller of SSM and Marcos Pesquera of CHRISTUS, will discuss why raising awareness and understanding of systemic racism and how it manifests itself in medicine are critical first steps to ensure we are working on the right problems and with the right people. Visit the CHA website to register.
April 30, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET - Film Viewing of "Toxic: A Black Woman's Story," followed by a Panel Discussion
A 20-minute film, "Toxic: A Black Woman's Story," shows a "day in the life" of a Black woman as she navigates the myriad stressors of a typical day and their effect on her pregnancy and her family. This compelling film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q and A. Visit the CHA website to register (for CHA members only).
May 4, from Noon to 1:15 p.m. ET — What Counts as Community Benefit
Does it count as community benefit? What are the guiding principles for reporting (and not reporting) community benefit programs? This webinar will review the basic guidelines from the IRS Form 990, Schedule H, Instructions and from CHA's Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit. Presenters will review the categories of community benefit and what should and should not be reported in each. In addition, we will go over recent questions submitted to the CHA What Counts Hotline and some of the "gray areas" of community benefit. Visit the CHA website to register.
October 12, 13, 14 — 2 to 5 p.m. ET each day — Community Benefit 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning and Reporting Community Benefit
Save the Date! CHA is going virtual with our highly regarded Community Benefit 101 program. The program will provide new community benefit professionals and others who want to learn about community benefit with the foundational knowledge and tools needed to meet today's challenges. Visit the CHA website to learn more. Registration will open soon.
CHA Resources Update
- Environmental Justice Resource — Please Watch and Share Widely!
As part of our We Are Called initiative, we are shining a particular light on environmental justice this year. Please watch and share the recording of our March 16 webinar with environmental advocate Hilton Kelley. Mr. Kelley's stories, images, research and strategies for change helped attendees understand the toxic burden many low-income and minority communities bear and actions that can be taken to make their environment healthier. Watch the recording.
- IRS 990, Schedule H - An Overview and Update on Current Tax-Exemption Issues — This webinar recording will give listeners an overview of the content and history of the Form 990, Schedule H, IRS hospital exam and review activities and other timely issues related to hospital tax exemption, including the current environment on hospital tax-exemption and recommendations for strengthening compliance and minimizing risk of IRS 501(r) related and Schedule H related examination and fines. Watch the recording.
- Investing in Community Health: A Toolkit for Hospitals — This toolkit, developed in collaboration with the Center for Community Investment, is designed to help health care organizations look at their resources in a different light, expand their efforts to support their communities, and maximize their impact on community health by harnessing the power of their investment capital. Supplementary resources include a webinar recording and PowerPoint.
- Community Benefit in the News
View recent articles from Catholic Health World and Health Progress featuring community benefit news and programs from the across the ministry. The Spring 2021 edition of Health Progress features an article that discusses the importance of aligning community needs with hospital community investments as part of efforts to address health disparities.