ABSTRACT
After implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) how will tax-exempt hospitals adjust their community benefit programs to maintain their non-profit status? This literature review categorized existing hospital-based community benefit programs by reviewing published articles that met the following inclusion criteria: affiliated or funded by a hospital; described the program design; focused on community benefit or outreach; evaluated program outcomes; located within the United States. Of 4,917 original citations, we reviewed 265 full-text articles. One hundred and six (106) programs met all inclusion criteria and were used to develop a hospital-based community benefit program taxonomy. Results indicate that programs to enhance patient care, clinic-based programs and programs with a community partner make up the majority of community benefit programs (25%, 28% and 31%, respectively). Few programs were rigorously evaluated or provide evidence of program impact. Hospitals should work with public health professionals to design, implement, and evaluate their community benefit programs.
