Cedars-Sinai's community benefit contribution is $502.4 million for 2010

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's financial contribution to community benefit programs and services totaled $502.4 million in fiscal year 2010, reflecting its long-standing mission and dedication to improving community health.

The contribution - more than $1.3 million per day - enables the Medical Center to increase access to healthcare for vulnerable, underserved populations; empower communities to become healthier through prevention programs and services; conduct research that leads to innovative treatments for a broad spectrum of diseases; and offer education to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Community benefit contributions include free and part-pay care for the uninsured and those with limited means, as well as the unpaid coasts of government programs, such as Medi-Cal and Medicare. Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest providers of Medi-Cal in the state. Participating hospitals in the Medi-Cal program are reimbursed only a fraction of their actual costs to care for Medi-Cal patients.

Contributions to community benefit also include translational and clinical research, and hundreds of community service programs at the Medical Center and in local public schools, homeless shelters, and community centers.

One of many effective community health programs is Cedars-Sinai's COACH for Kids and Their Families®, which brings no-cost, quality healthcare services to underserved children and their families. Staffed by Cedars-Sinai healthcare professionals, two large, fully equipped mobile medical units visit economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. In 2010, COACH reached more than 25,000 people at elementary and middle schools, community centers, family homeless shelters and public housing developments. Services include preventive care, such as immunizations and screenings, as well as diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses.

Cedars-Sinai's Healthy Habits for Kids program, part of the medical center's broad-based effort to combat obesity, last year expanded from four to eight elementary schools in underserved neighborhoods. Through 10-week classroom workshops, health educators help second-graders get started on a lifetime of healthy habits by teaching them to eat well and exercise.

"Meeting the health needs of the wider community has been an integral part of Cedars-Sinai's mission for more than 100 years," said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. "Our commitment to quality patient care extends to all, including those in greatest need, the uninsured and underinsured."