Virginia hospitals provided $4.5 billion in community benefits during fiscal year 2024, according to the 2026 Community Benefit Report released by the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA).
The report, released Monday, details hospital contributions across uncompensated care, community investments, taxes, and other programs.
Community benefit totals include $2.5 billion in uncompensated care, which reflects charity care, bad debt, and payment shortfalls from public insurance programs.
Hospitals reported $1.2 billion in charity care for patients who qualified for free or discounted services and $767 million in unpaid health costs. The report also documents a $457 million Medicare payment shortfall, representing the difference between reimbursements and the cost of providing care.
Further, the report shows that hospitals in Virginia generated $68.8 billion in positive economic activity in 2024.
Virginia hospitals directly employed more than 130,000 people and provided over $13 billion in payroll. Hospitals recorded 4.45 million patient days, more than 813,000 inpatient admissions, and handled nearly 92 percent of voluntary and involuntary behavioral health admissions statewide.
VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton said the report “provides a snapshot of the extraordinary impact hospitals make each day by promoting access to care and stimulating positive economic activity.”
Noting how the report comes as VHHA is celebrating its 100th year, Connaughton continued, “As we celebrate a century of vital hospital contributions, we also look to the future as we continue to pursue the work of making Virginia the healthiest state in the nation.”
Mark Nantz, Valley Health president and CEO, added, “Caring for people is a mission and a calling to serve others. That’s what our hospitals represent – a commitment to community and people.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
