What You Need to Know
Hackensack Meridian Health 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 HMH 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 HMH 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 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
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.
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.