Mercy’s Community Benefit Ministry Shows Strong Support for Siouxland

Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City has promoted the well being of people in Siouxland by living the values of compassion, respect, concern for those who are poor, excellence and stewardship for the past 116 years.

Mercy’s Community Benefit Ministry Report for 2006 (fiscal year) reflects the hospital’s commitment to the whole community, particularly to those in need and the underserved population. The combined impact of programs and activities, charity care and shortfalls in Medicare and Medicaid totaled over $25 million during Mercy’s past fiscal year.

Serving populations most in need

Mercy’s total cash and in-kind commitments specifically for populations most in need and underserved totaled more than $1.1 million for fiscal 2006. This was over and above the almost $3.9 million worth of charity care that Mercy provided at cost.

Beyond traditional forms of charity care, programs and activities for populations at risk take the form of services provided without reimbursement, the donation of time, resources and talent by many of Mercy’s employees and, on occasion, direct donations or grants to specific community programs.

Among the many programs that benefited populations at risk were discounted laboratory testing and services, support for Meals-on-Wheels and local food pantries, Mercy’s Medicaid Assistance Program, transportation services for the disabled and support for agencies serving those in need like the Mary Treglia House, La Casa Latina, and the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

Serving the broader community

In addition to its support for those who are poor and vulnerable, Mercy’s Community Benefit Ministry contributed over $2.1 million to programs, grants and activities that served the community at large during the past fiscal year. Support for the Mercy Child Advocacy Center, which provides leadership in a community-wide effort to combat child abuse, and important community screening and education programs were a large part of that effort.

Mercy also supported free monthly educational programs to foster positive health practices in the broader community. Programs and activities in this category included babysitting and breastfeeding classes, diabetes and cholesterol screenings and first-aid and safety classes.

Mercy also continues to support the Graduate Medical Education program, which gives medical residents the chance to complete their training and provides additional medical resources for Siouxland.

In addition to these programs and activities, Mercy provides a large amount of uncompensated care to the community by absorbing the shortfalls in the government-funded Medicare and Medicaid programs. Mercy’s shortfall from Medicare was more than $15.8 million, while the Medicaid shortfall was more than $2 million.

“We continue to build on the rich legacy established by the Sisters of Mercy more than a century ago,” said Mercy President and CEO Paul Dougherty. “Our Community Benefit Ministry is an important part of our identity. For that reason, we will continue to reach out to help others and will strive to be a servant leader for the people of Siouxland.”