CHARITABLE CARE AND THE NONPROFIT PARADIGM

Nonprofit hospitals have begun to focus once again on serving the heal th needs of their communities. Governmental needs for additional reven ue and for-profit hospitals' contention that tax exemptions give nonpr ofit hospitals an unfair competitive advantage have resulted in change s in laws and regulations and have caused a change in the role of nonp rofit hospitals. As local governments become more responsive to the he alth needs of their communities, they are requiring nonprofit hospital s to become more responsive as well. Laws, regulations, and court deci sions have begun to require nonprofit hospitals to provide charity car e and services at levels equal to the amount of their exempt taxes. In response, nonprofit hospitals are developing community benefit progra ms and public health services.