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Non-Profit Vs. For-Profit Hospitals

For-profit hospitals answer to investors, not to the communities they serve. Profits generated through operations go to investors and not necessarily back into the community. Opening a new for-profit hospital in Bergen County, a county which already has an excess of hospital beds, will weaken other hospitals in our communities — particularly Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and The Valley Hospital.

Where Dollars Drive Decisions

A Texas-based private equity group sees an “opportunity” in Westwood

ASK YOURSELF: Who should take care of you? A non-profit or for-profit hospital? Research indicates that there are clear and significant differences between the missions, programs, services, operations and allegiances of non-profit and for-profit hospitals. In contrast to non-profit hospitals like The Valley Hospital and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center a for-profit facility, like the one proposed in Westwood, returns its profits to investors, rather than back into new technology, services and programs that best meet the healthcare needs of the community. Know who may be caring for you.

Non-Profit Hospitals

For-Profit Hospitals
Patients are the top priority.
Patients and investors are top priorities.
Higher performance in treating common conditions.
Perform worse when treating many common conditions.
Higher quality care.
Higher death rates, more citations for quality deficiencies, and less nursing care.
More financially efficient.
Higher administrative costs.
Spend more on care; less on administrative costs.
Spend less on care; more on administrative costs.
Charges are not tied to taxes.
Higher charges when taxes increase.
Extra revenues are reinvested in the hospital to provide better care.
Extra revenues are profits returned to investors.
Community first.
Profits first.
SOURCES:
Steffe Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, “The high costs of for-profit care,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 6/8/04; 170 (12)
Bruce E. Landon, MD et al, “Quality of Care for the Treatment of Acute Medical Conditions in US Hospitals,” Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 166 No. 22, Dec 11/25, 2006
Bruce E. Landon, MD et al, “Quality of Care for the Treatment of Acute Medical Conditions in US Hospitals,” Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 166 No. 22, Dec 11/25, 2006
Bruce E. Landon, MD et al, “Quality of Care for the Treatment of Acute Medical Conditions in US Hospitals,” Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 166 No. 22, Dec 11/25, 2006
Steffe Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, “The high costs of for-profit care,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 6/8/04; 170 (12)
Joseph Mantone, “Equal on charity care,” Modern Healthcare, 6/26/06
Niccie L. McKay, “Variations in Hospital Administrative Costs,” Journal of Healthcare Management, 5/1/08
Steffe Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, “The high costs of for-profit care,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 6/8/04; 170 (12)
Steffe Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, “The high costs of for-profit care,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 6/8/04; 170 (12)
Uwe E. Reinhardt, “The Economics Of For-Profit And Not-For Profit Hospitals,” Health Affairs, Volume 19, Number 6, November / December 2000
Steffe Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, “The high costs of for-profit care,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 6/8/04; 170 (12)
Joseph Mantone, “Equal on charity care,” Modern Healthcare, 6/26/06
Steffe Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, “The high costs of for-profit care,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 6/8/04; 170 (12)