April 2, 2012
Urge Your Legislators to Support Tax-Exemption for Nonprofit Hospitals
The Illinois Hospital Association and hospital community are working with the Governor's Office, the Department of Revenue, the Attorney General's Office, the General Assembly, Cook County, Fair Care Coalition, and other key stakeholders on a reasonable, workable legislative solution on the tax-exemption issue that can be enacted in the spring session.
Taxing local hospitals will hurt communities by driving up the cost of health care and delaying equipment upgrades and facility modernization projects. Layoffs, service cuts and limited access to care could ensue.
Hospitals are major job creators and economic engines providing nearly 425,000 direct and indirect jobs, and generate a total economic impact on the state of more than $78 billion annually. They are the fourth largest contributor of state revenue paying $900 million a year in taxes to the state, under the Hospital Assessment Program, roughly three times that of the next largest contributor, bringing in more revenue than the state Lottery.
Urge your state legislators to preserve the tax-exempt status of Illinois nonprofit hospitals and support a global, legislative solution that is workable and fair for patients, hospitals, and communities.