Moon Township, PA, (November 28, 2011) – During fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011), Heritage Valley Health System’s commitment to core community health care benefits such as charity care, absorption of non-reimbursed expenses for Medicare and medical assistance patients, and subsidization of community health services and education increased more than 10% over FY2010. The $26.2 million, an increase over $23.7 million the year prior, also includes the health system’s contributions to non-profit community groups and sponsorship of community health fairs and screenings throughout the year.

Heritage Valley’s charity care, which totaled approximately $6.7 million, covers 100 percent of hospital costs for services provided to individuals and families who earn less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, Heritage Valley’s Medical Assistance and Medicare shortfalls totaled approximately $13.0 and $5.5 million respectively.

As part of its community benefit, Heritage Valley subsidizes the Heritage Valley Sewickley School of Nursing based in Moon Township and its Family Practice and Podiatry Residency Programs based in Beaver Falls.  In addition, community benefit includes subsidization of Heritage Valley’s community health services programs, which are partially funded by the health system’s two philanthropic foundations.  Since 1998, Heritage Valley has offered wellness and prevention programs that result in successful health-related outcomes and improved quality of life, including its Smoking Cessation program, “Breath ‘n Easy” pediatric asthma program, “Club 5210” childhood obesity program, and “LifeSmart” pre-diabetes program.

“Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of all people in the communities we serve.  This mission is regardless of one’s ability to pay,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO of Heritage Valley Health System.  “As the largest employer in the airport corridor, we also do our best to support the non-profit and community health needs of the communities served in our 70-mile radius.”