Unjust Surplus?

A look at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center's financial disclosures throws doubt on the hospital's claims of being under-reimbursed for providing indigent health care.

Seven months after it was due—and three months after SFR requested it [news, April 13: "Information, Please"], Christus produced a copy of its Form 990, the basic tax disclosure form required of all nonprofits. The form reveals that, between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, the hospital received a "surplus" of $3.2 million in federal Medicare money. A note on the form explains that the hospital "reinvests all surplus funds back in to the communities we serve through expanded health services, new technologies and better facilities."

Christus spokesman Arturo Delgado has told SFR in the past that Medicare under-reimburses the hospital, which is part of why it relies on Santa Fe County to pay the difference. Christus has cut funding it disburses to the community this year, citing a shortfall in indigent care money.

"The issue of St. Vincent's profits from 2009 should be questioned by the community in terms of how much of that money is being put back into services," Santa Fe County Commissioner Liz Stefanics says.

Delgado did not respond to requests for comment before press time.

Santa Fe Reporter