4A (Expenses $ 244201208 including grants of $ 248803) (Revenue $ 290307300)
MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS OPERATES TWO NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS TOTALING 200-BEDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN.MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS PROVIDES HEALTH CARE SERVICES REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR THE ABILITY TO PAY. ALTHOUGH REIMBURSEMENT OF SERVICES RENDERED IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS, IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT NOT ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES. THEREFORE, IN KEEPING WITH THE HOSPITAL'S MISSION, THE COMMUNITY IS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING:1) FREE OR SUBSIDIZED MEDICAL CARE TO INCOME-ELIGIBLE PATIENTS,2) SUBSIDIZED CARE PROVIDED TO PERSONS COVERED BY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS,3) DONATED COMMUNITY HEALTH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS.SEE SCHEDULE H FOR MORE INFORMATION.MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS ALSO GOVERNS AND MANAGES ITS SUBSIDIARIES, WHICH INCLUDE HOSPITAL ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3). THESE HOSPITALS PROVIDE NEEDED HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE LOCATED, AND SHARE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' MISSION STATEMENT.

4B (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 0)
MISSION:THE MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE HOSPITAL IS AS FOLLOWS:WE SERVE TOGETHER IN TRINITY HEALTHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPELTO HEAL BODY, MIND, AND SPIRITTO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIESAND TO STEWARD THE RESOURCES ENTRUSTED TO US.

PART I, LINE 6A: MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS REPORTS ITS COMMUNITY BENEFIT INFORMATION AS PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED COMMUNITY BENEFIT INFORMATION REPORTED BY TRINITY HEALTH IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT, AVAILABLE AT WWW.TRINITY-HEALTH.ORG.IN ADDITION, MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS INCLUDES A COPY OF ITS MOST RECENTLY FILED SCHEDULE H ON BOTH ITS OWN WEBSITE AND TRINITY HEALTH'S WEBSITE.

PART I, LINE 7: THE BEST AVAILABLE DATA WAS USED TO CALCULATE THE COST AMOUNTS REPORTED IN ITEM 7. FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES, PRIMARILY TOTAL CHARITY CARE AND MEANS-TESTED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, SPECIFIC COST-TO-CHARGE RATIOS WERE CALCULATED AND APPLIED TO THOSE CATEGORIES. THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO WAS DERIVED FROM WORKSHEET 2, RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST-TO-CHARGES. IN OTHER CATEGORIES, THE BEST AVAILABLE DATA WAS DERIVED FROM THE HOSPITAL'S COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

PART I, L7 COL(F): THE FOLLOWING NUMBER, $11,868,139, REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED IN TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES IN FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25. PER IRS INSTRUCTIONS, THIS AMOUNT WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE DENOMINATOR WHEN CALCULATING THE PERCENT OF TOTAL EXPENSE FOR SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F).

"PART II: COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES - MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS IS ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST: ADDRESSES CONCERN FOR THE UNDERSERVED AND DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS BY ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NELSON NEIGHBORHOOD. GOOD PARTNER DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND THEY ARE WORKING TO INCORPORATE HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS INTO WHAT THEY SERVE.CATHOLIC CHARITIES - LOAVES AND FISHES FOOD PANTRY:PROVIDES FOOD TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES; REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.CATHOLIC CHARITIES - TEEN PARENT SERVICES:PROVIDES HEALTH, PARENTING AND EDUCATION SERVICES AND INFORMATION TO TEENAGE PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.CHRISTIANS FOR HEALTHCARE - HEALTH ADVOCACY FOR LOW INCOME POPULATION: SERVING AT-RISK PATIENTS, AT RISK DEFINED AS THOSE CLIENTS WHOSE BP/DIABETES SCREENING RESULTS ARE VERY CONCERNING AND NEED TO BE REFERRED TO PCP OR FQHC. COMMUNITY ENCOMPASS - MCLAUGHLIN GROWS:FUNDING TO SUPPORT OPERATION OF HALF-ACRE ORGANIC COMMUNITY FARM IN MCLAUGHLIN NEIGHBORHOOD. ADDRESSES CONCERN FOR THE UNDERSERVED AND DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS BY PROVIDING RESIDENTS ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS, AFFORDABLE PRODUCE. ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ADDRESSING OBESITY AND CHRONIC ILLNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THIS CONCERN WHILE FOSTERING A SENSE OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AND COMMUNITY AMONG THE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PRE- AND POST-TESTING RELATED TO HEALTHY EATING AND LIFESTYLES KNOWLEDGE AS PART OF MEASUREMENT IS A NOTABLE STEP IN EVALUATION SUCCESS. COMMUNITY ENCOMPASS - SACRED SUDS:PROVIDES LAUNDRY, SHOWER AND COMPUTER LAB TO LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD; ORGANIZES NEIGHBORHOOD SELF-HELP AND AWARENESS PROJECTS.EMBRACE MUSKEGON - SUMMERTIME KIDS ADVENTURE:THROUGH PROVIDING HEALTHY FOOD, READING AND IMPROVING LITERACY ACTIVITIES, AND ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR 50 CHILDREN IN THE NIMS NEIGHBORHOOD, EMBRACE MUSKEGON PROVIDES A MEANINGFUL, SAFE, AND EDUCATIONAL ALTERNATIVE TO STAYING HOME ALONE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.ESL MUSKEGON - TUTOR-LEARNING ASSISTANT PROGRAM:TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN NEW TUTORS AND TUTOR LEARNER ASSISTANTS UTILIZING THE LAUBACH ENGLISH AND READING CURRICULUM AND CREATE TUTOR-STUDENT TEAMS. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON OPENING THE PROGRAM TO ALL NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS WITH AN OPTION OF STUDYING FOR THE CITIZENSHIP TEST. HOLTON COMMUNITY CENTER - HEALTH CHOICES PROGRAM:ADDRESSES CONCERN FOR THE UNDERSERVED AND DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS BY PROVIDING FOOD PANTRY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND A COMMUNITY GARDEN. FUNDS TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND SERVICES TO THOSE WITHOUT RESOURCES. USE PRE- AND POST-TESTING AND SEEM COMMITTED TO MEASURING BEHAVIOR CHANGE. DEMONSTRATE GOOD LEVELS OF COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.LOVE INC - HEALTHY EATING/HEALTHY LIVING:OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE APPLIANCES AND TRAINING NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A STABLE HOME, INCLUDING RAISING THE NUTRITIONAL EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF FAMILIES; THEREBY AFFECTING THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY - STABLE HOME, IMPROVED HEALTH, IMPROVED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, IMPROVED SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, ETC.MAP - HEALTHY CHOICES FOOD PANTRY:DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE; PROVIDES HEALTHY EATING INFORMATION AND REFERS TO MSU EXTENSION SERVICES FOR NUTRITION COUNSELING.MUSKEGON HEIGHTS COALITION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM: A PILOT SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM AIMED AT ACADEMIC SKILL RETENTION FOR TWO CLASSROOMS OF 25 FIVE- AND SIX-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS AT MARTIN LUTHER KING SCHOOL.THE STRENGTHENING MUSKEGON COMMUNITY PROGRAM, COMPLETED IN FY 12, PROVIDED TRAINING SEMINARS AND DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SMALL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND TOWNSHIPS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS AIMED AT BUILDING INTERNAL CAPACITY AND EXTERNAL EFFICACY. THE SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOCUSES ON BOARD DEVELOPMENT; STAFF TRAINING; FUNDRAISING; GRANT WRITING AND MANAGEMENT; FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING AND OTHER TOPICS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER ""SAFETY-NET"" AND OTHER NEEDED HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO THEIR CONSTITUENCIES.THE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' COLLABORATIVE, THE OCEANA COUNTY HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND OUTREACH SERVICES COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO MEET AT THE LAKESHORE HOSPITAL CAMPUS IN OCEANA COUNTY TO BUILD A COMMUNITY CONSENSUS AROUND EVALUATION, PLANNING AND DEPLOYMENT OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS OF OCEANA COUNTY. THE COMMITTEE IS WORKING ON LIFE-LONG PREVENTION SERVICES/LIFESTYLE CHANGES, IMPROVED METHODS AND STRATEGIES FOR DELIVERING MEDICAL, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.SAFE KIDS WEST MICHIGAN IS A PROGRAM THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH PARENTS AND KIDS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL INJURY TO CHILDREN AGES 0-14. THE ATTEMPT IS TO REDUCE THE OVERALL RATE OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES TO CHILDREN IN WEST MICHIGAN. COALITION BUILDING:ALONG WITH THE ABOVE PROGRAMS IS A PROGRAM CALLED ""COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT."" THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES THE COALITIONS, LED BY MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS, PROVIDED TO DEVELOP EFFORTS WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. THE DRUG FREE MUSKEGON COALITION, IN ITS 7TH YEAR, HAS PROVIDED AWARENESS AND EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF ALCOHOL USE AND ABUSE, AS WELL AS PROMOTED COMMUNITY PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND TREATMENT SERVICES. THE 2012 MICHIGAN PROFILE FOR HEALTH YOUTH (MIPHY) INDICATED THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND DRUG ABUSE AMONG TEENS AND PRE-TEENS IN MUSKEGON COUNTY. THE DFC IS A COALITION OF 53 COMMUNITY MEMBERS DEDICATED TO ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND COMMUNITY-WIDE ACTIVITIES TO CURB EXISTING ABUSE, DECREASE THE INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF THESE PROBLEMS AMONG YOUTH. THE MUSKEGON-OCEANA COUNTY HEALTH DISPARITIES REDUCTION COALITION WAS CONVENED IN 2010 TO ASSESS DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND QUALITY OF CARE RELATING TO RACE, ETHNICITY AND LANGUAGE. THE COALITION COMPLETED A SECOND STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN IN AUGUST 2012 AND WILL BEGIN IMPLEMENTING ITS PLAN IN FY13, STARTING IN JANUARY 2013. THE 2012 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT NOTED DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO CARE; AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES WERE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POOR HEALTH AMONG THE LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED AND MINORITY POPULATIONS OF MUSKEGON AND OCEANA COUNTIES. THE COALITION OF 44 INDIVIDUALS, REPRESENTING 27 COMMUNITY MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS FROM 3 COUNTIES, IS IN ITS SECOND YEAR OF A 3-YEAR GRANT AWARD TO IMPLEMENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE IDENTIFIED DISPARITIES.THE MUSKEGON-OCEANA COUNTY CHILDHOOD OBESITY COALITION WAS CREATED IN 2010 TO GATHER DATA ON THE INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AMONG CHILDREN, ESTABLISH MEASURES AND PROCEDURES FOR ON-GOING DATA COLLECTION, RESEARCH EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION MODELS AND DEVELOP A STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS. OBESITY, LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND INCREASED NUTRITION EDUCATION CONTINUED TO BE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN THE 2012 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, AS WELL AS A CONCERN RISING FROM THE 2012 MIPHY SURVEY. THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY COALITION HAS EIGHT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FROM MUSKEGON COUNTY, AND RECEIVED A SMALL GRANT IN 2011 TO COLLECT RELEVANT DATA AND START PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PLANNING. THE HIV/AIDS COALITION IS SUPPORTED BY MERCY STAFF TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY AWARENESS, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND TREATMENT RESOURCES. A STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN WAS COMPLETED IN 2011, AND PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN, STARTING WITH EXPANDING ITS MEMBERSHIP AND DEVELOPING PUBLIC AWARENESS EVENTS.MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT'S AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP TEAM WAS RE-CONVENED AND RE-CONSTITUTED IN 2012. IT HAS HELD THREE RE-ORGANIZATION MEETINGS AND IS ENGAGED IN DEVELOPING A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES AFFECTING AFRICAN AMERICANS-AN ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN THE 2012 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT."

"PART III, LINE 4: MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS IS INCLUDED IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRINITY HEALTH. THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS FOOTNOTE FROM THOSE STATEMENTS: ""SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE CORPORATION'S RECEIVABLES ARE RELATED TO PROVIDING HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE REDUCED BY AN ALLOWANCE FOR AMOUNTS THAT COULD BECOME UNCOLLECTIBLE IN THE FUTURE. THE CORPORATION'S ESTIMATE FOR ITS ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS IS BASED UPON MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF HISTORICAL AND EXPECTED NET COLLECTIONS BY PAYOR.""COSTING METHODOLOGY FOR LINES 2 AND 3: AMOUNTS ARE CALCULATED ON LINE 2 USING A COST TO CHARGE RATIO METHODOLOGY.ANY DISCOUNTS PROVIDED OR PAYMENTS MADE TO A PARTICULAR PATIENT ACCOUNT ARE APPLIED TO THAT PATIENT ACCOUNT PRIOR TO ANY BAD DEBT WRITE-OFF AND ARE THUS NOT INCLUDED IN BAD DEBT EXPENSE. AS A RESULT OF THE PAYMENT AND ADJUSTMENT ACTIVITY BEING POSTED TO BAD DEBT ACCOUNTS, WE ARE ABLE TO REPORT BAD DEBT EXPENSE NET OF THESE TRANSACTIONS.WHILE CURRENT OPERATIONS ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THOSE CASES THAT WILL QUALIFY FOR CHARITY OR UNCOMPENSATED CARE, IT IS ASSUMED THAT APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THE REMAINING DEBT AMOUNT MAY ALSO QUALIFY AS CHARITY."

PART III, LINE 8: MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS DOES NOT BELIEVE ANY MEDICARE SHORTFALL SHOULD BE TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT. THIS IS SIMILAR TO CHA RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH STATE THAT SERVING MEDICARE PATIENTS IS NOT A DIFFERENTIATING FEATURE OF TAX-EXEMPT HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT THE EXISTING COMMUNITY BENEFIT FRAMEWORK ALLOWS COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS THAT SERVE THE MEDICARE POPULATION TO BE COUNTED IN OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFIT CATEGORIES.PART III, LINE 8: COSTING METHODOLOGY FOR LINE 6 - MEDICARE COSTS WERE OBTAINED FROM THE FILED MEDICARE COST REPORT. THE COSTS ARE BASED ON MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS AS REPORTED ON WORKSHEET B, COLUMN 27, WHICH EXCLUDE DIRECT MEDICAL EDUCATION COSTS. INPATIENT MEDICARE COSTS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON A COMBINATION OF ALLOWABLE COST PER DAY TIMES MEDICARE DAYS FOR ROUTINE SERVICES AND COST TO CHARGE RATIO TIMES MEDICARE CHARGES FOR ANCILLARY SERVICES. OUTPATIENT MEDICARE COSTS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON COST TO CHARGE RATIO TIMES MEDICARE CHARGES BY ANCILLARY DEPARTMENT.

PART III, LINE 9B: MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' COLLECTION POLICY CONTAINS THE CRITERIA FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING VERBIAGE FOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENCIES: THE AGREEMENT MUST DEFINE THE STANDARDS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICES TO BE USED BY OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENTS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY ORGANIZATION, ALL OF WHICH MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY.

MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS MERCY CAMPUS
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13G: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE POLICY, COPIES ARE ONLY PROVIDED ON REQUEST. STATEMENTS PROVIDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND THE NUMBER(S) TO CALL ARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS AT PRE-REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION, ON THE HOSPITAL WEBSITE, POSTED IN REGISTRATION AREAS AND ADMISSIONS OFFICES, AND INCLUDED ON ALL BILLING STATEMENTS SENT TO THE PATIENT.

MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS MUSK GENERAL CM
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13G: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE POLICY, COPIES ARE ONLY PROVIDED ON REQUEST. STATEMENTS PROVIDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND THE NUMBER(S) TO CALL ARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS AT PRE-REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION, ON THE HOSPITAL WEBSITE, POSTED IN REGISTRATION AREAS AND ADMISSIONS OFFICES, AND INCLUDED ON ALL BILLING STATEMENTS SENT TO THE PATIENT.

MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS MERCY CAMPUS
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 19D: INDIVIDUALS/HOUSEHOLDS 150% AND BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL) ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 100% FREE CARE; THOSE BETWEEN 150% AND 200% OF THE FPL ARE SUBJECT TO A NOMINAL CHARGE BASED ON THE TYPE OF SERVICE; THOSE BETWEEN 200% AND 400% OF THE FPL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT BASED ON THE AVERAGE DISCOUNT PROVIDED TO COMMERCIAL PAYERS.

MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS MUSK GENERAL CM
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 19D: INDIVIDUALS/HOUSEHOLDS 150% AND BELOW THE FPL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 100% FREE CARE; THOSE BETWEEN 150% AND 200% OF THE FPL ARE SUBJECT TO A NOMINAL CHARGE BASED ON THE TYPE OF SERVICE; THOSE BETWEEN 200% AND 400% OF THE FPL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT BASED ON THE AVERAGE DISCOUNT PROVIDED TO COMMERCIAL PAYERS.

"PART VI, LINE 2: NEEDS ASSESSMENT - MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS ASSESSES THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) EVERY THREE YEARS. THE FY13 CHNA PROCESS WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE 2012 AND THE REPORT PUBLISHED IN EARLY OCTOBER 2012. A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT IS A POINT-IN-TIME EFFORT TO MEASURE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITY. IT SERVES AS THE BASIS FOR MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' STRATEGIC AND SUBSEQUENT ACTION PLANNING TO DEVELOP HEALTH POLICY, ALLOCATE RESOURCES, IMPROVE OR EXPAND EXISTING SERVICES, IMPLEMENT NEW PROGRAMS AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS. A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT ALSO SERVES AS A BENCHMARK FOR GAUGING RELATIVE PROGRESS TOWARD ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY HEALTH OBJECTIVES.THE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' CHNA PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO:- GAIN INSIGHTS INTO THE NEEDS AND ASSETS OF THE SYSTEM'S THREE-COUNTY SERVICE AREA USING DATA FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES, INCLUDING A RIGOROUS PROCESS FOR OBTAINING COMMUNITY INPUT.- IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED- ENHANCE HOSPITAL/COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY ACTION, INCLUDING INVOLVEMENT WITH COALITIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, ADVISORY GROUPS AND PANELS- PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLANNING, AS WELL AS TRACKING PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH.THE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS INVOLVES THE GATHERING OF TWO TYPES OF DATA: QUANTITATIVE (DEMOGRAPHICS, HEALTH INDICATORS, ETC.) AND QUALITATIVE (PUBLIC SURVEYS, FORUMS, FOCUS GROUPS AND ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS). IN 2010, MERCY BEGAN USING GRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE TO GEO-MAP FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RECORDS AND VARIOUS DISEASE CONDITIONS TO HELP IDENTIFY ""HOT SPOTS"" THAT NEED ATTENTION. THE USE OF GEO-MAPPING WILL BE EXPANDED FOLLOWING THE 2012 CHNA TO INCLUDE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, HEALTH LITERACY AND EMERGENCY ROOM UTILIZATION FOR PRIMARY CARE TO FURTHER IDENTIFY HEALTH DISPARITIES. THE DATA HELPS SUPPORT SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DECISIONS ABOUT ALLOCATION OF COMMUNITY HUMAN AND CAPITAL RESOURCES. THE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' 2012 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOLLOWED THE ""TRINITY HEALTH SYSTEM GUIDE FOR MISSION ORGANIZATIONS TO PREPARE THEIR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS."" THE GUIDE WAS PREPARED BY THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT IN 2008 AND UPDATED IN 2010. THE 2012 STEERING COMMITTEE INCLUDED 22 KEY COMMUNITY HEALTH STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' 3 CAMPUSES; 7 MERCY DEPARTMENTS AND SUBSIDIARIES; 2 LOCAL FQHCS; 2 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES; 2 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING 2 UNITED WAY AGENCIES; AND 3 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT. AS IN 2009, THE 2012 CHNA WAS CONDUCTED BY THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT OFFICE OF MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS, THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT. PETER J. SARTORIUS, MA, MS, GRANTS AND PLANNING MANAGER, LED AND MANAGED THE PROCESS AGAIN IN 2012. A 42-PAGE CONSUMER HEALTH ISSUES SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN THE 3-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. HEALTH PROJECT STAFF TRAINED 75 VOLUNTEERS TO ADMINISTER THE QUESTIONNAIRE AT 36 SELECTED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE AREA, OVER A 2-MONTH PERIOD. THE SURVEY WAS ALSO OFFERED ON-LINE VIA SURVEY MONKEY. OVER 2,000 SURVEYS WERE TABULATED, WITH A 92% VALIDATION RATE. THE SURVEY'S DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN PRETTY WELL REFLECTED THAT OF THE SERVICE AREA: 25% OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE FROM THE RURAL COUNTIES IN THE SERVICE AREA; 22.5% WERE FROM MINORITY POPULATIONS, PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HISPANIC; 45% OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD INCOMES LESS THAN $25,000; 24% HAD INCOMES BETWEEN $25,000 AND $50,000; 42% WERE EMPLOYED; 13% WERE EMPLOYED PART-TIME; AND 45% WERE UNEMPLOYED, STUDENTS OR RETIRED; 59% WERE HOMEOWNERS; AND 23% WERE RENTERS, WHILE 14% LIVED WITH FAMILY/FRIENDS AND 4% RESIDED IN SHELTERS. THE 2012 CHNA AGAIN MADE USE OF A PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR IN 4 COMMUNITY FORUMS AND 10 FOCUS GROUPS, WITH 160 PEOPLE ATTENDING THE FORUMS AND 76 PARTICIPATING IN THE FOCUS GROUPS. EXPERIENCED INTERVIEWERS HELPED TO CONDUCT 53 FOCUSED INTERVIEWS WITH FORMER AND CURRENT HOSPITAL AND FQHC PATIENTS; 14 OF THE INTERVIEWEES WERE SPANISH-SPEAKING AND WERE ASSISTED BY CERTIFIED INTERPRETERS SUPPLIED BY THE HOSPITAL. A PROJECT CONSULTANT ASSISTED WITH THE ANALYSIS AND PREPARATION OF THE FINAL REPORT. SUPPLEMENTAL (SECONDARY) SOURCES OF INFORMATION INCLUDED THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN 2012 COUNTY RANKINGS, CALL DATA FROM THE COMMUNITY ACTION LINE OF THE LAKESHORE (CALL 2-1-1), A 2011 DISABILITY CONNECTION OF WEST MICHIGAN ASSESSMENT, THE 2012 MICHIGAN PROFILE FOR HEALTH YOUTH (MIPHY), THE 2012 MUSKEGON CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS DATA REPORT, AND A 2011 SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY CONDUCTED BY ACCESS HEALTH, INC. FOCUSED INTERVIEWS AND DATA FROM THE MUSKEGON-OCEANA COUNTY HEALTH DISPARITIES REDUCTION COALITION'S 2012 ""HEALTH DISPARITY COMMUNITY REPORT CARD"" WERE INCORPORATED IN THE CHNA REPORT AND THE REPORT CARD WAS INCLUDED IN THE APPENDICES.FINALLY, A NEW PROCESS ELEMENT WAS ADDED TO THE 2012 CHNA. REPRESENTING STAKEHOLDERS FROM 3 COUNTIES, 51 PEOPLE ATTENDED 4 SESSIONS TO RANK THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN THE CHNA COMMUNITY INPUT PROCESS. ISSUES WERE RANKED INDEPENDENTLY BY KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN EACH AREA - 21 ISSUES IN MUSKEGON COUNTY AND 21 IN OCEANA/NEWAYGO COUNTIES RESPECTIVELY. THEY RANKED AND SORTED THE ISSUES INTO THE ""DOMAINS"" PERCEIVED TO BE TAKING THE LEAD ROLES: HEALTH SYSTEM, PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY. A SCORING SYSTEM WAS USED TO RANK BY PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY CONCERNS TO THE COMMUNITY. THE RESULTS OF THE RANKING SESSIONS WILL BE USED BY THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM'S BOARDS OF TRUSTEES, PURSUANT TO ADOPTING THEIR RESPECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION PLANS IN THE EARLY PART OF FY13."

PART VI, LINE 3: PATIENT EDUCATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE - MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS IS COMMITTED TO:- PROVIDING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES WITH COMPASSION, DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR THOSE WE SERVE, PARTICULARLY THE POOR AND THE UNDERSERVED IN OUR COMMUNITIES- CARING FOR ALL PERSONS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES- ASSISTING PATIENTS WHO CANNOT PAY FOR PART OR ALL OF THE CARE THEY RECEIVE - BALANCING NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SOME PATIENTS WITH BROADER FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN VIABILITY AND PROVIDE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF SERVICES FOR ALL WHO MAY NEED CARE IN A COMMUNITYIN ACCORDANCE WITH AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDATIONS, MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING GUIDING PRINCIPLES WHEN HANDLING THE BILLING, COLLECTION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FUNCTIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS: - PROVIDE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH PATIENTS REGARDING HOSPITAL BILLS- MAKE AFFIRMATIVE EFFORTS TO HELP PATIENTS APPLY FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS- OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PATIENTS WITH LIMITED MEANS- IMPLEMENT POLICIES FOR ASSISTING LOW-INCOME PATIENTS IN A CONSISTENT MANNER- IMPLEMENT FAIR AND CONSISTENT BILLING AND COLLECTION PRACTICES FOR ALL PATIENTS WITH PATIENT PAYMENT OBLIGATIONSMERCY HEALTH PARTNERS EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATES WITH PATIENTS REGARDING PATIENT PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS. FINANCIAL COUNSELING IS PROVIDED TO PATIENTS ABOUT THEIR PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS AND HOSPITAL BILLS. INFORMATION ON HOSPITAL-BASED FINANCIAL SUPPORT POLICIES AND EXTERNAL PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR SERVICES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS DURING THE PRE-REGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION PROCESSES AND/OR THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS WITH PATIENTS SEEKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS OFFERS IN-PERSON SUPPORT WITH FINANCIAL COUNSELORS, CASHIERS AND THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT (A PART OF MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS). ANY REGISTRAR CAN MAKE A CONNECTION TO PATIENTS. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS PUBLISHES THE PHONE NUMBERS FOR OUR CALL-IN SUPPORT, AND SHARED SERVICES ALSO PROVIDES PHONE SUPPORT. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS HAS AN EXTERNAL VENDOR, FIRSTSOURCE, AND WE ALSO WORK WITH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES STAFF.FINANCIAL COUNSELORS MAKE AFFIRMATIVE EFFORTS TO HELP PATIENTS APPLY FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY MAY QUALIFY AND THAT MAY ASSIST THEM IN OBTAINING AND PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS UTILIZES AN EXTERNAL VENDOR AS AN EXTENSION OF HOSPITAL SERVICES. EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO DETERMINE A PATIENT'S ELIGIBILITY PRIOR TO OR AT THE TIME OF ADMISSION OR SERVICE. HOWEVER, DETERMINATION FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT CAN BE MADE DURING ANY STAGE OF THE PATIENT'S STAY AFTER STABILIZATION OR COLLECTION CYCLE.BEGINNING IN 2010, MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS ESTABLISHED A SINGLE ENROLLMENT FORM, APPLICABLE TO ALL CAMPUSES, FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT INCLUDES GATHERING ALL THE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION NECESSARY TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT FOR A VARIETY OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HEALTH COVERAGE, FOOD STAMPS, PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, VISION AND HEARING SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CHRONIC DISEASE SELF MANAGEMENT EDUCATION, AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE COUNSELING AND TOBACCO CESSATION EDUCATION. THE SINGLE ENROLLMENT FORM IS USED ON ALL MERCY HEALTH PARTNER CAMPUSES. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS BEGAN DEPLOYING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS FROM THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT AT ALL CAMPUSES, TO WORK WITH HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PATIENTS AND ENSURE THAT ALL ELIGIBLE PATIENTS ARE ENROLLED IN APPLICABLE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE HEALTH PROJECT ALSO SCREENS AND ENROLLS RESIDENTS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE SERVICE AREA, USING WIDE-REACHING OUTREACH STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES TO ENGAGE UNINSURED AND UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS OFFERS FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PATIENTS WITH LIMITED MEANS. THIS SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED PATIENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS OR OTHER ASSISTANCE. NOTIFICATION ABOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION, IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF PATIENT BROCHURES, NOTICES OR MESSAGING INCLUDED ON PATIENT BILLS; POSTING OF NOTICES IN PUBLIC REGISTRATION AREAS, INCLUDING EMERGENCY ROOMS, URGENT CARE CENTERS, ADMITTING AND REGISTRATION DEPARTMENTS; HOSPITAL PATIENT ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENTS, AND OTHER PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES OFFICES THAT ARE LOCATED ON OUR CAMPUSES. SUMMARIES OF HOSPITAL PROGRAMS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ACCESS HEALTH, AMERICAN RED CROSS, BENSON DRUGS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF WEST MICHIGAN, CITY OF MUSKEGON, CITY OF MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, COMMUNITY ACCESS LINE OF THE LAKESHORE, COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OF MUSKEGON COUNTY, COOPERATING CHURCHES, DISABILITY CONNECTION OF WEST MICHIGAN, EVERY WOMAN'S PLACE, GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, HACKLEY COMMUNITY CARE CENTER, HACKLEY PHARMACIES, LIFE COUNSELING, LIONS CLUBS OF MUSKEGON COUNTY, MISSION FOR AREA PEOPLE, MUSKEGON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, MUSKEGON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES/FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, MUSKEGON FAMILY CARE, MUSKEGON/OCEANA MICHIGAN WORKS!, THE SALVATION ARMY, SENIOR RESOURCES, URBAN LEAGUE, WESTSHORE PHARMACY, AND WEST MICHIGAN THERAPY. INFORMATION REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' WEBSITE, AS WELL AS IN THE ADMISSION PACKAGE. IN ADDITION TO ENGLISH, THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH, REFLECTING THE OTHER PRIMARY LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY THE POPULATION SERVED BY OUR HOSPITAL. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS HAS ESTABLISHED A WRITTEN POLICY, APPLICABLE TO ALL CAMPUSES, FOR THE BILLING, COLLECTION AND SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS WITH PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO ADHERE TO THE POLICY AND IS COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING AND APPLYING THE POLICY FOR ASSISTING PATIENTS WITH LIMITED MEANS IN A PROFESSIONAL, CONSISTENT MANNER. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS EDUCATES STAFF MEMBERS WHO WORK CLOSELY WITH PATIENTS (INCLUDING THOSE WORKING IN PATIENT REGISTRATION AND ADMITTING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CUSTOMER SERVICE, BILLING AND COLLECTIONS) ABOUT THESE POLICIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON TREATING ALL PATIENTS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT REGARDLESS OF THEIR INSURANCE STATUS OR THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' FRONTLINE REGISTRATION ASSOCIATES, CASHIERS AND THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT RECEIVE TRAINING ON MAKING A CONNECTION TO A FINANCIAL COUNSELOR.

PART VI, LINE 4: COMMUNITY INFORMATION - MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' SERVICE AREA INCLUDES NEWAYGO, OCEANA AND MUSKEGON COUNTIES, LOCATED IN CENTRAL WEST MICHIGAN, ON OR NEAR THE SHORELINE OF LAKE MICHIGAN. TOTAL POPULATION OF THE SERVICE AREA IS ABOUT 250,000 AND IS COMPRISED OF BOTH SIGNIFICANT RURAL AND URBAN AREAS. THE RURAL AREA IS CHARACTERIZED BY A CHIEFLY AGRICULTURAL, RECREATION AND TOURISM ECONOMY. THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF ABOUT 120,000 IS COMPRISED OF FIVE CITIES; THE LARGEST OF WHICH IS THE CITY OF MUSKEGON, WITH A POPULATION OF 38,401. MUSKEGON'S ECONOMY IS LARGELY MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES. THE POPULATION IS GENERALLY DIVERSE WITH MANY ETHNIC AND RACIAL POPULATION SEGMENTS. THE METROPOLITAN AREA HAS A SIGNIFICANT AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION, WHILE OCEANA COUNTY HAS A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF HISPANIC RESIDENTS.MUSKEGON COUNTY IS HOME TO THE COUNTY'S MAJOR HOSPITAL SYSTEM, MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS, WHICH RECENTLY MERGED WITH HACKLEY HOSPITAL AND NOW INCLUDES FOUR CAMPUSES, INCLUDING LAKESHORE HOSPITAL IN OCEANA COUNTY. BASED ON THE 2010 CENSUS, THERE WERE 172,188 PEOPLE, 65,654 HOUSEHOLDS, AND 44,690 FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE COUNTY. THE RACIAL MAKEUP WAS APPROXIMATELY 80% CAUCASIAN, 14.5% BLACK AND 1.3% FOR NATIVE AMERICAN, ASIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME WAS $38,916, AND THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR A FAMILY WAS $51,519. ABOUT 12.4% OF FAMILIES AND 18.6% OF THE POPULATION WERE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, INCLUDING 22.4% OF THOSE UNDER AGE 18 AND 8.7% OF THOSE AGES 65 OR OVER.OCEANA COUNTY IS A RURAL COUNTY ROUGHLY 41 MILES NORTH OF MUSKEGON AND 75 MILES NORTHWEST OF GRAND RAPIDS. THE RACIAL MAKEUP ACCORDING TO THE 2010 CENSUS WAS 91.9 % CAUCASIAN, WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN, ASIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER EACH COMPRISING 1.5% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION. ROUGHLY 13% OF THE POPULATION WAS HISPANIC OR LATINO, THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF LATINOS OF ANY COUNTY IN MICHIGAN. RECENT ESTIMATES SHOW THE PERCENTAGE OF LATINOS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO BE INCREASING, WHILE THE PERCENTAGE OF NON-HISPANIC WHITES IS DECREASING. THE CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES THE 2010 COUNTY POPULATION AT 26,570. THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE WAS 2.6 AND THE AVERAGE FAMILY SIZE WAS 3.04 IN 2010. MEDIAN INCOME WAS $39,543.NEWAYGO COUNTY IS HOME OF NESTLE-GERBER INDUSTRIES AND THE GERBER MEMORIAL HEALTH SERVICES, LOCATED IN FREMONT. THE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY OF THE TWO URBAN CENTERS RESULTS IN SOME COUNTY RESIDENTS TRAVELING TO THE MUSKEGON AREA FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES WHILE OTHERS USE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE IN GRAND RAPIDS. BASED ON THE 2010 CENSUS, THE RACIAL MAKEUP WAS APPROXIMATELY 93.5% CAUCASIAN, 1.2% BLACK, AND 0.9% FOR NATIVE AMERICAN, ASIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER. THE CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES THE 2010 COUNTY POPULATION AT 48,460. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME WAS $43,218 AND THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR A FAMILY WAS $49,499. ABOUT 13.5% OF FAMILIES AND 17.3% OF THE POPULATION WERE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 24.6% OF THOSE UNDER AGE 18 AND 8.4% OF THOSE AGES 65 OR OVER.

"PART VI, LINE 5: OTHER INFORMATION - THE MAJORITY OF THE GOVERNING BODY IS COMPRISED OF PERSONS WHO RESIDE IN THE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' (LAKESHORE CAMPUS, HACKLEY CAMPUS AND MERCY CAMPUS) PRIMARY SERVICE AREA WHO ARE NEITHER EMPLOYEES NOR CONTRACTORS OF THE ORGANIZATION, NOR FAMILY MEMBERS. SINCE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS IS THE ONLY HOSPITAL IN MUSKEGON COUNTY, STAFF PRIVILEGES ARE EXTENDED TO ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY. SURPLUS FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED TO IMPROVEMENTS IN PATIENT CARE, MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH. THE SERVICE AREA HAS VERY HIGH RATES OF UNINSURED (MUSKEGON COUNTY 23.5%; OCEANA COUNTY 27.6%; NEWAYGO COUNTY 12.7%)--SO MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' FOCUS HAS BEEN ON ACCESS TO CARE. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' HEALTH PROJECT HAS BEEN VERY PROACTIVE IN WORKING WITH MEDICAL CLINICS AND THE TWO FQHCS. THE DESIGN OF A SINGLE ENROLLMENT PROCESS HAS PROVEN TO MAKE APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE LESS CUMBERSOME. THE NEW FORM INCLUDES ALL INFORMATION ESSENTIAL FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR MULTIPLE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THUS STREAMLINING THE PROCESS OF ASSISTING PATIENTS TO RECEIVE SERVICES. THE WHEELS OF MERCY, A MOBILE UNIT, IS TAKEN TO VARIOUS AREAS THROUGH THE THREE COUNTIES, PROVIDING BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES, PULMONARY FUNCTION, VISION AND CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS. ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE INTO VARIOUS PROGRAMS IS ALSO PROVIDED. THE GOAL IS TO ALLEVIATE MANY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS BY SCREENING AND ALERTING PATIENTS TO TREATABLE PROBLEMS THAT COULD ESCALATE INTO LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS.MUSKEGON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT - PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS PROGRAM INCLUDES TWO PROGRAMS: 1) MEANS-TESTED ELIGIBILITY SCREENING AND ENROLLMENT APPLICATION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY PAPS; AND 2) ASSISTANCE TO PROCURE INTERIM MEDICATIONS AND SUPPLIES DURING APPLICATION PROCESS PERIOD. THIS PROGRAM COMPLEMENTS MAP'S COMMUNITY MEDICATION FUND IN PROVIDING LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED PERSONS WITH THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THEY NEED TO MANAGE CHRONIC DISEASES. REFERRALS ARE MADE BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS TO KEEP PACE WITH THE INCREASING NEED. THERE ARE NO OTHER KNOWN PROGRAMS IN THE AREA THAT SUPPLY INTERIM MEDICATIONS TO PATIENTS WAITING TO BE ENROLLED IN THE PAPS. THE HEALTH PROJECT'S PROGRAM GETS SOME SUPPORT FROM SEVERAL SMALL GRANTS, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC, AS WELL AS PROCEEDS FROM AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISING WALKATHON. HOWEVER OVER 80% OF THE FUNDING SUPPORT COMES FROM THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM. CHRISTIANS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDES BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES SCREENING TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, REFERRALS TO PRIMARY CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION ON ACCESS TO SERVICES. LOCAL DIABETES RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE MICHIGAN AVERAGE. PERSISTENTLY HIGH RATES OF DIABETES IN MUSKEGON AND OCEANA COUNTIES, ESPECIALLY AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS AND HISPANICS, IS A KEY FINDING OF THE 2009 AND 2012 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS. INCREASED SCREENING, PATIENT EDUCATION AND EARLY INTERVENTION TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED TO CURB THE IMPACT OF DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS. THE CHNA ALSO NOTED THE DANGER OF INCREASING IMPACTS OF CHRONIC DISEASES DUE TO HEALTH DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO CARE EXPERIENCED BY THE POOR AND MINORITY POPULATIONS.DEPARTMENTS ARE AGGRESSIVELY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. FOR INSTANCE OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT SPECIALISTS CONDUCT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE ELIGIBILITY SCREENS ON ALL UNINSURED PATIENTS AT THE TIME OF DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. INCLUDED IN THE SCREENING IS ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAID, SCHIP OR OTHER AVAILABLE HEALTH COVERAGE, FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ET AL. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS PARTICIPATES IN THE UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING. ALSO, EVERY YEAR, THE HEALTHY-U EVENT IS CONDUCTED TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HEART HEALTH, AND PROVIDE WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS AT NO COST. SUPPORT FOR EVENTS, SUCH AS THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN DIABETES CONFERENCE, MEN'S HEALTH FAIR AND SCREENING, AND THE WALK FOR DIABETES ARE CONDUCTED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEM. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS CONDUCTS EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED SCREENINGS AT CHURCHES AND OTHER VENUES AROUND THE COMMUNITY. PHYSICIANS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME IN DOC TALKS FOR THE COMMUNITY; COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO BENEFIT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS BIRTHING CLASSES. ALL OF MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS SUPPORT THE USE OF FACILITIES BY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR MEETINGS AND SUPPORT. A CERTAIN PERCENT OF EARNINGS FROM THE SISTER SIMONE FUND ARE REDIRECTED BACK TO COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. MEDICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFS SIT ON COMMUNITY COALITIONS THAT TARGET AREAS OF COMMUNITY NEED, INCLUDING HIV/AIDS; DIABETES; CHILDHOOD OBESITY; HEALTH DISPARITIES, ASTHMA; ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE; AND YOUTH RISK BEHAVIORS. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS ALSO GIVES MONEY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY ACCESS LINE OF THE LAKESHORE (CALL 2-1-1) INFORMATION AND REFERRAL PHONE LINE; ACCESS HEALTH, A ""3-SHARE"" MODEL COMMUNITY HEALTH COVERAGE PROGRAM; AS WELL AS VISION SERVICES. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS (ALL CAMPUSES) ARE INVOLVED WITH ""ALIGNING FORCES FOR QUALITY: EQUITY AND LANGUAGE QUALITY"" TO MEET THE TRINITY EQUITY IN CARE PROCESS OF DETERMINING WHETHER INEQUITIES EXIST IN CARE DUE TO RACE OR ETHNICITY. MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS' LAKESHORE HEALTH NETWORK CONTINUES TO LEAD A HEALTH LITERACY COMMITTEE, CALLED CLEAR COMMUNICATION FOR HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, TO FOCUS ON ISSUES THAT EMERGED OUT OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS. THIS COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE GIVING PATIENTS INFORMATION THEY CAN UNDERSTAND IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND COMPLIANCE WITH MEDICAL PROTOCOLS.IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAKESHORE HEALTH NETWORK, THE HEALTH PROJECT HAS BEEN OPERATING THE MUSKEGON AREA MEDICATION DISPOSAL PROJECT (MAMDP) SINCE LATE 2010. THE MEDICATION TAKE-BACK PROJECT REDUCES YOUTH ACCESS TO NON-PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS, REDUCES THE NUMBER OF EXPIRED AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE MEDICATIONS, ASSISTS LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY FOR THOSE SEEKING OUT DRUGS IN MEDICINE CABINETS AND REDUCES THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY. IN FY2012, MAMDP ESTABLISHED PERMANENT BOXES IN ELEVEN POLICE STATIONS AND PERMANENT COLLECTION SITES AT FIVE MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS RETAIL PHARMACIES. THEY ALSO HELD TWO COLLECTION EVENTS AT AREA FIRE STATIONS. IN FY2012, THE MAMDP PROJECT COLLECTED 2,948 POUNDS OF MEDICATIONS AND SHARPS WITH NEARLY 329 POUNDS OF THE MATERIALS WERE CLASSIFIED AS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. OVER 120 POUNDS OF SHARPS WERE COLLECTED."

PART VI, LINE 6: MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS IS A MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF TRINITY HEALTH, ONE OF THE LARGEST CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY. BASED IN LIVONIA, MICHIGAN, TRINITY HEALTH ANNUALLY REQUIRES THAT ALL MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS DEVELOP, AND ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ACHIEVING, COMMUNITY BENEFIT GOALS THAT INCLUDE DEVELOPING NEEDED SERVICES OR EXPANDING ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH SYSTEM, TRINITY HEALTH REINVESTS ITS PROFITS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE POOR AND UNINSURED, MANAGE CHRONIC CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES, HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION INITIATIVES, AND OUTREACH FOR THE ELDERLY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2012, THIS INCLUDED OVER $615 MILLION IN SUCH COMMUNITY BENEFITS. THEREFORE, TRINITY HEALTH TAKES A SYSTEM APPROACH IN ITS COMMUNITY BENEFIT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, AND IS CONSEQUENTLY ABLE TO ENSURE THAT ITS MEMBER HOSPITALS AND OTHER ENTITIES/AFFILIATES ARE HELPING PROMOTE AND ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRINITY HEALTH, VISIT WWW.TRINITY-HEALTH.ORG.