Connecticut hospitals need to step up!

Nonprofit hospitals are exempt from state, local and federal taxes, and in exchange are required to provide goods and services to benefit their communities.

Connecticut is falling short. Hospital Financial Assistance (HFA) - sometimes called "charity care” - is free or discounted care to patients who are uninsured or facing unaffordable out-of-pocket costs. Some states don’t even bill for free care, or screen uninsured patients and apply HFA before billing. Our hospitals employ collection agencies and attorneys to recoup money from patients.

Instead of working to make healthcare affordable to people who need it, nonprofit hospitals spent more than $4.7 million lobbying in the last year. And in the 2026 legislative session, attempts to strengthen HFA were watered down to almost nothing: Hospitals must now inform patients about HFA as part of their bill, with a link to more information; patients must still apply – using a paper form!  

Given these massive tax breaks enjoyed by nonprofit hospitals, it is critical for policymakers and the public to understand how hospitals are using this status to make healthcare affordable and to contribute to public health in their communities.

The 2026 Hospital Community Benefits report details HFA and other factors. Lawmakers and the administration must demand greater transparency and accountability in this report from our hospitals- and more assistance for patients.  

Forgiving medical debt for those already suffering is good. Preventing it from occurring in the first place is vastly better!

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