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Hospital charity care continues to rise along with unreimbursed care from patients unable to pay. Midwestern hospitals have been hit particularly hard, squeezed financially as they work hard to provide around-the-clock, high-quality care all communities deserve.

Recent data from Kaufman Hall show charity and unreimbursed care jumped 72% between January 2023 and January 2026 at hospitals in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. In contrast, the nationwide increase was 40% and just 19% in southern states.

These increases come despite the uninsured rate falling with implementation of the Affordable Care Act and remaining steady since. As providing healthcare has become increasingly costly for hospitals, paying for healthcare has become increasingly difficult for many patients. Rising costs, unreimbursed care and reduced funding in H.R. 1 have fueled the perfect storm threatening the very survival of many hospitals across Illinois. Others will be forced to make difficult decisions, including eliminating services and cutting jobs.

Restoring the federal 340B program in Illinois is an important step forward in supporting hospitals that care for patients 24/7 and regardless of their ability to pay. House passage of House Bill 2371 SA 2 will help struggling hospitals that serve many low-income and uninsured patients. Vote YES on HB 2371 SA 2. Learn more.