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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia hospitals provided more than $1 billion in community benefits while generating $19.1 billion in economic activity statewide, according to a newly released report from the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA).
Community benefits are health-focused programs, services and investments that address local needs, expand access to care, promote wellness and improve the overall health of communities.
“The blue hospital signs we see throughout West Virginia represent much more than a place to receive medical care,” said WVHA Interim President and CEO Tony Gregory. “Our hospitals are deeply connected to the communities they serve. They provide care, expand access to services, support families, educate future healthcare professionals and address challenges that affect people’s health and quality of life. This report gives us an opportunity to highlight the tremendous commitment our hospitals make every day to the health and well-being of West Virginians.”
The report demonstrates how West Virginia hospitals serve as community health leaders, extending essential services into neighborhoods and communities while also serving as major employers and economic drivers across the state.
Among the report’s key findings:
- $113 million in community programs and education – investments in community health initiatives such as diabetes education and health fairs, as well as health professions education, training and certification programs;
- $182 million in uncompensated care – services provided to patients for which hospitals receive no payment;
- $79 million in charity care – care for which a hospital does not expect payment because the patient meets the hospital’s financial assistance criteria.
- $103 million in bad debt – care provided where payment was expected but the payment was not received.
- $689 million in Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls – the difference between government reimbursement and the actual cost of providing care.
“These figures demonstrate the remarkable commitment West Virginia hospitals make to the people and communities they serve,” Gregory said. “Hospitals continue to invest in programs that improve health, expand access, and provide care to those who need it, even while facing significant financial pressures. At the same time, they remain among West Virginia’s largest employers and economic contributors. Their impact extends well beyond the walls of the hospital, touching families, businesses, and communities throughout the state.”
West Virginia hospitals directly employ nearly 57,000 people, providing $4.78 billion in wages and benefits, while indirectly supporting another 48,500 skilled jobs across the state.
That economic impact comes alongside the essential healthcare services hospitals provide every day. West Virginia hospitals annually account for more than 888,000 emergency department visits, more than 330,000 inpatient stays, 7.4 million outpatient visits and more than 15,000 births.
“An important strength of this report is that it puts real community impact behind these numbers,” Gregory said. “It shows the many ways hospitals are responding to local needs and making services available to people who might otherwise struggle to access them. The 340B Drug Pricing Program, for example, is an important part of that effort, helping eligible hospitals direct resources toward expanding access to essential services for vulnerable patients and communities.”
The report includes examples from hospitals across West Virginia demonstrating how they are using their resources to meet specific community needs — from expanding access to care and supporting vulnerable populations to partnering with local organizations to address broader health and social needs.
“Our hospitals understand that improving the health of West Virginians requires more than treating patients when they are sick,” Gregory said. “It means working alongside community organizations, employers, policymakers, and other partners to address the factors that influence health every day — from access to food and medications to stable housing and other basic needs. This report tells the story of hospitals that are committed not only to providing exceptional care, but also to working with partners across the state to help build healthier, stronger communities throughout West Virginia.”
