Hackensack Meridian Health Recognized by Lown Institute as Top Health System in the Nation for Community Investments
April 24, 2024
Nine hospitals among the top 20% nationwide exceeding their obligations for community investment
Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, was recently recognized as the top nonprofit health system in the nation for giving back to the communities it serves. A new report from the Lown Institute from the Lown Institute, an independent healthcare think tank, found that Hackensack Meridian Health had the largest fair share surplus in the nation of $358 million. A fair share surplus is indicated when the health system exceeds its obligations for community investment.
In addition to the health system’s recognition, nine Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals were among the top 20% of hospitals nationwide that exceeded their obligations for community investment, earning a 2024 Top Hospital for Fair Share Spending designation from the Lown Institute.
The following Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals were recognized by the Lown Institute for community investment:
- Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center: $96,291,000
- Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center: $83,092,000
- Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center: $43,700,000
- Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center: $34,426,000
- Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center: $30,924,000
- Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center: $23,883,000
- Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center: $20,971,000
- Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center: $17,737,000
- Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center: $6,620,000
Two Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals – Hackensack University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center – were in the top 10 nonprofit hospitals in the nation for their fair share surplus.
“As the largest health system in New Jersey, Hackensack Meridian Health is honored to receive this recognition from the Lown Institute, and we are committed to being a leader of positive change in the communities we serve,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We will continue to give back to our communities by providing charity care and supporting programs that help those most vulnerable and in need of our services.”
Hackensack Meridian Health offers several innovative programs and initiatives that are designed to reach more patients and provide critical health care services and resources, including:
- Hackensack Meridian Health's' groundbreaking social determinants of health program, Healthy Connections, provides assistance beyond traditional healthcare for patients throughout New Jersey. Through this innovative program and a unique partnership with UniteUs, Hackensack Meridian Health has connected patients to health services where otherwise, barriers to care prevent access. Since June 2021, the organization has provided 1.5 million screenings and made more than 3 million referrals
- In October 2023, Hackensack Meridian Health launched Fresh Match, a program aimed at making fresh produce more accessible to New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) families.
- According to Hackensack Meridian Health’s 2022-2023 annual report, the health system devoted more than $1 billion in community benefits in 2021, with spending on programs and services aimed at improving the health of communities across the state.
- Other community outreach initiatives can be found here.
“Hospitals increasingly recognize the importance of going beyond their walls to improve community health,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “These hospitals are leading the way in essential community health investments.”
Lown calculated Fair Share Spending by comparing the estimated value of hospitals’ tax exemptions to the amount spent on financial assistance and meaningful community investment—including community health improvement activities, cash and in-kind contributions to community groups, community building activities, and subsidized health services. Data was sourced from IRS Form 990 for fiscal year ending 2021. Only private, nonprofit hospitals with available IRS tax filings were included.
The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking to include metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, creating a holistic view of hospitals as total community partners. The Lown Institute is a nonpartisan think tank that generates bold ideas for a radically better system of health. Hospitals do not pay or apply to be graded by Lown. Learn more at www.LownHospitalsIndex.org.