4A (Expenses $ 84465867 including grants of $ 54369) (Revenue $ 101424664)
"PORTER HOSPITAL, INC. (""PORTER"") OPERATES A NOT-FOR PROFIT CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL WITH PATIENT CARE SERVICES INCLUDING EMERGENCY ROOM, MATERNITY AND MEDICAL/SURGICAL INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT CARE, AND ANCILLARY SERVICES INCLUDING REHABILITATION, LABORATORY TESTING, AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SERVICES. AS A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL, PORTER STAFFS A TOTAL OF 25 BEDS. OF THE 25 BEDS, SIX BEDS ARE LOCATED IN THE MATERNITY UNIT, AND THE REMAINING BEDS ARE LOCATED ON THE MEDICAL/SURGICAL UNIT. PORTER RECORDED APPROXIMATELY 6,064 INPATIENT DAYS DURING THE YEAR. EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS TOTALED 12,841 FOR THE YEAR. SURGERIES FOR THE YEAR TOTALED 4,821. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR BOTH INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LABORATORY, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SERVICES, CARDIAC SERVICES, AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES. IMAGING INCLUDES RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE, MRI, ULTRASOUND, AND CT SCAN. PORTER PROVIDES FREE CARE TO PATIENTS WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA. PORTER PROVIDES A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR FREE. THE PROGRAMS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO DIABETES EDUCATION, BREAST CANCER SCREENING, PRENATAL CLASSES, BREASTFEEDING CLASSES, AND CPR COURSES. PORTER PROVIDES CLINICAL OFFICE SPACE TO THE OPEN DOOR CLINIC, WHICH PROVIDES ACCESS TO FREE QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THOSE WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED UNTIL A PERMANENT HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CAN BE ESTABLISHED. FINALLY, PORTER HAS PARTNERED WITH LOCAL CAREER CENTERS, AS WELL AS COLLEGES TO PROVIDED CLINICAL EXPOSURE TO THEIR STUDENTS WITH GOALS OF DEVELOPING FUTURE HEALTHCARE WORKERS FOR THE COMMUNITY."

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3J: THE CHNA CONDUCTED IN FY 2021 / TY 2020 CONTAINS INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE SUBJECTS DESCRIBED IN PART V, LINE 3, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: SECONDARY DATA SOURCES, MORTALITY STATISTICS, KEY HEALTH AND WELLBEING INDICATORS AND THEIR SOURCES, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE COMMUNITY.

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: THE CHNA DATA COLLECTION PROCESS CONSISTED OF A CHNA SURVEY COMPLETED BY 761 RESPONDENTS, FIVE SEPARATE FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS IN WHICH 14 PERSONS PARTICIPATED, AND STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS WITH 33 REPRESENTATIVES FROM 23 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THE SURVEYS WERE CONDUCTED IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2021 AND WERE PRIMARILY COLLECTED ONLINE. THE SURVEY WAS MADE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH. THE SURVEYS WERE PUBLICIZED THROUGH ELECTRONIC MAILING LISTS, ONLINE COMMUNITY MESSAGE BOARDS, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THE PORTER HOSPITAL WEBSITE. HOWEVER, PAPER SURVEYS WERE MADE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST AND DISTRIBUTED LOCALLY AT OPEN DOOR CLINIC AND MIDDLEBURY LAUNDROMAT. PAPER SURVEYS WERE ALSO OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVED HOME-BOUND COVID-19 VACCINATIONS.FOCUS GROUPS WERE HELD IN MAY 2021. PARTICIPANTS WERE RECRUITED VIA FLYERS SENT TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THROUGH COMMUNITY MEMBERS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND VIA ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS. FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS WERE GUIDED BY AN IN-DEPTH QUESTIONNAIRE, A COPY OF WHICH IS INCLUDED AS AN APPENDIX TO THE CHNA. CROSS-SECTOR STAKEHOLDERS WERE INTERVIEWED AT EXISTING MEETINGS SUCH AS THAT OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ACTION TEAM, BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES GROUP, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY COMMITTEE, OR WERE CONDUCTED SEPARATELY TO INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS. STAKEHOLDER ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED MANY ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND INCLUDED: PARENT CHILD CENTER, BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES, UNITED WAY OF ADDISON COUNTY, MARY HOGAN, MARY JOHNSON, ADDISON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, END OF LIFE SERVICES, ADDISON COUNTY HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE, COUNSELING SERVICES OF ADDISON COUNTY, FIELD SERVICES, PRIVATE PT PRACTICE, MOUNTAIN HEALTH CENTER, GIVING FRIDGE, TURNING POINT CENTER, DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, RESIDENCE AT OTTER CREEK, SAVIDA, BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER, PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER, NORTHERN LIGHTS AT CCV, AND MOUNT ABRAHAM UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: THE TY 2020/FY 2021 CHNA WAS CONDUCTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS UNITED WAY OF ADDISON COUNTY, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, BLUEPRINT FOR HEALTH, AND ADDISON COUNTY HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE, ALL OF WHICH CONTRIBUTED MEMBERS TO THE CHNA STEERING COMMITTEE. ADDITIONALLY, MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE STUDENTS SERVED IMPORTANT ROLES IN THE AREAS OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS. FINALLY, THE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS LISTED IN THE PREVIOUS DISCLOSURE CONTRIBUTED TO THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS.

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: PARTICIPANTS IN THE CHNA DATA COLLECTION PROCESSES DESCRIBED ABOVE IDENTIFIED CONCERNS AROUND THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SUBSTANCE ABUSE, INCLUDING CONCERNS ABOUT STIGMA SURROUNDING TREATMENT, AS WELL AS THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF TREATMENT;HEALTHY EATING, PRIMARILY CONCERNED AROUND AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHY FOODS;MENTAL HEALTH, INCLUDING CONCERNS ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND A NEED FOR MORE RESOURCES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS;HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING CONCERNS ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, THE NEED FOR MORE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, AND WELLNESS CENTERED CARE, AS WELL AS BARRIERS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION AND LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCEENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE AND STREET SAFETY; ANDHOUSING, INCLUDING LACK OF AFFORDABLE UNITS, SPACE TO RENT, SOBER HOUSING, AND HOUSING FOR ELDERS.A COMMUNITY MEETING WAS HELD TO PRESENT THE INFORMATION FROM THE CHNA SURVEY, FOCUS GROUPS, AND STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WHERE 32 COMMUNITY LEADERS WERE PRESENT. ONCE THE INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED, LEADERS BROKE OUT INTO GROUPS TO IDENTIFY THE TOP THREE PRIORITIES TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY. THE TOP THREE PRIORITIES SELECTED WERE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (72%), ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES (60%), AND HOUSING (44%). THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES WITH RESPECT TO THESE PRIORITIES AND CONTAINS METRICS AND BENCHMARKS TO ESTABLISH PROGRESS.ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES:- ADVANCE MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO A TIMELY, RESPONSIVE, AND INTEGRATED SYSTEM;- STRONG CROSS-ORGANIZATION COMMITMENT AND ENGAGEMENT TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE; AND- CULTIVATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT MENTAL AND SOCIAL WELLBEING.ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES:- ENHANCE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE ACCESS, EFFECTIVENESS, OUTREACH, AND OVERALL QUALITY OF CARE;- EXPAND WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS TO INCREASE CAPACITY; - REIMAGINE HEALTH CARE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO SERVICES; AND- IMPROVE EQUITY IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BY DEVELOPING A COLLECTIVE APPROACH AND COORDINATED IMPACT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.HOUSING:- STRONG CROSS-ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AND ENGAGEMENT TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY HOUSING IN ADDISON COUNTY;- REDUCE DISPLACEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS IN ADDISION COUNTY; AND- PROMOTE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND OLDER VERMONTERS IN THE HOME SETTING.GIVEN THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDED IN THE CHNA PROCESS AND THE VAST ARRAY OF VIEWPOINTS REPRESENTED, THE ORGANIZATION WAS UNABLE TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED THROUGHOUT THE CHNA PROCESS. THE GROUP THEREFORE FOCUSED IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS ON THE TOP THREE NEEDS AS DETERMINED BY CONSENSUS AT THE COMMUNITY MEETING DESCRIBED ABOVE.

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13H: PATIENTS WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS ABOVE 360% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE DISCRETION OF PORTER HOSPITAL.

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
"PART V, SECTION B, LINE 15E: ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION MAY INCLUDE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION FROM THE OPEN DOOR CLINIC (A LOCAL, FREE HEALTH CLINIC FOR UNINSURED AND UNDER-INSURED ADULTS IN ADDISON COUNTY, VERMONT) OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN LIEU OF INCOME VERIFICATION. WHILE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY DOES NOT PROVIDE A LIST OF ""EXTERNAL"" CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ORGANIZATIONS AGENCIES WHO MAY ASSIST PATIENTS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS, APPLICATION COMPLETION AID IS WELL PUBLISHED WITH MULTIPLE INTERNAL, ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROVIDED BY STAFF MEMBERS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST OUR PATIENTS. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PATIENTS ARE REVIEWED IN ADVANCE OF SERVICE FOR POTENTIAL HARDSHIP; THE UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED PATIENTS WHO ARE IDENTIFIED ARE ACTIVELY COUNSELED WITH HELP FOR GOVERNMENT AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM."

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J: PORTER HOSPITAL MAKES ADDITIONAL EFFORTS TO ENGAGE PATIENTS IN FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS FOLLOWS: - SIGNAGE HAS BEEN POSTED IN ALL WAITING AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATION REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BEING OFFERED. - NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE PATIENT PORTAL ALONG WITH A PHONE NUMBER FOR ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION. - OUTPATIENT PREREGISTRATION CALLS NOTIFY PATIENTS OF AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. - REGISTRATION AREAS NOTIFY PATIENTS OF AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS HAVING APPLICATIONS READILY AVAILABLE. - EVERY STATEMENT HAS THE NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE AND A WEBSITE TO VISIT FOR AN APPLICATION. - THE UVMHN CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT MAKES A REASONABLE EFFORT TO CALL PATIENTS FOR COLLECTIONS OF SELF-PAY BALANCES AND NOTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

PORTER HOSPITAL, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 20E: (ALSO APPLICABLE TO LINE 20A) PORTER HOSPITAL DOES NOT TAKE ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION ACTIONS.

PART V, SECTION B, LINES 7A, 10A, AND 16A-16C: HOSPITAL FACILITY'S WEBSITE
CHNA AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY:WWW.PORTERMEDICAL.ORG/ABOUT/COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENT/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, FAP APPLICATION, AND PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: WWW.PORTERMEDICAL.ORG/PATIENTS-VISITORS/PATIENT-FINANCIAL-SERVICES/

PART I, LINE 3C:
ALL UNINSURED PATIENTS AND PATIENTS HAVING A BALANCE AFTER INSURANCE ARE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. IN ADDITION TO THE INCOME TEST BASED ON FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULE H, PART I, ELIGIBILITY IS PREDICATED UPON AN ASSET LEVEL WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH BY THE CMS MEDICARE LOW INCOME BENEFICIARY LIMITS. ADDITIONALLY, CATASTROPHIC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO THE MEDICALLY INDIGENT. FINALLY, PATIENTS WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS ABOVE 360% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, OR WHO OTHERWISE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE TESTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, WERE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE THE DISCRETION OF PORTER HOSPITAL.

PART I, LINE 7:
THE ORGANIZATION USED A COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO FOR THE PURPOSES OF CALCULATING AMOUNTS ON LINES 7A AND 7B. AN ACTUAL COSTING METHOD WAS USED TO CALCULATE AMOUNTS ON LINES 7E, 7F, 7G AND 7I.

PART I, LINE 7G:
SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED DESPITE A LOSS TO THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDED SERVICES PROVIDED TO PUBLIC AGENCIES AS WELL AS DEPARTMENTS MEETING NEEDS THAT ARE NOT OTHERWISE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS DELIVERY, NEWBORN AND POSTPARTUM SERVICES, AND SERVICES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S MEDICAL RECORDS AND BILLING SYSTEM, EXPENSE DATA FOR THESE SERVICES IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE PERIOD FROM 11/6/2021 THROUGH 9/30/2022. THESE AMOUNTS ARE REPORTED ON SCH H, PART I, LINE 7G. ACTUAL EXPENSES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR (10/1/2021-9/30/2022) CANNOT BE ACCURATELY ASCERTAINED, BUT THEY ARE MOST LIKELY HIGHER THAN THOSE REPORTED.

PART I, LN 7 COL(F):
THE PROVISION FOR BAD DEBT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF OF CALCULATING THE AMOUNT REPORTED ON LINE 7(F) IS $0. BAD DEBT IS DEDUCTED FROM PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII.

PART III, LINE 2:
THE ORGANIZATION USED THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO AS ITS COSTING METHODOLOGY TO CALCULATE BAD DEBT EXPENSE AT COST.

PART III, LINE 3:
"DISCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS ON PATIENT ACCOUNTS ARE NETTED AGAINST THE TOTAL GROSS CHARGES WHEN DETERMINING BAD DEBT EXPENSE. THE $27,949 REFLECTS THE ADJUSTED BAD DEBT EXPENSE FOR ALL PATIENTS WHO SUBMITTED AN INITIAL APPLICATION, BUT UPON FOLLOW-UP, DID NOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. PORTER HOSPITAL HAS A DATABASE WHICH TRACKS ALL APPLICATIONS AND THEIR STATUS; A QUERY EXTRACTED ALL INCOMPLETE/NON RESPONSIVE ARCHIVED APPLICATIONS PROVIDING A LIST OF PATIENTS & DEPENDENTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, A QUERY OF ASSOCIATED PATIENT SERVICES FROM 10/1/21-9/30/22 FOR ""SELF-PAY AND COLLECTION ACCOUNTS WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BILLING SYSTEM."

PART III, LINE 4:
THE ORGANIZATION'S BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS ADDRESSED ON PAGE 27 IN FOOTNOTE 5 OF ITS MOST RECENT AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

PART III, LINE 8:
THE AMOUNT REPORTED IN PART III, LINE 6, MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS OF CARE, IS DERIVED FROM PORTER HOSPITAL'S FYE 9/30/22 MEDICARE COST REPORT, WORKSHEETS E-1 THROUGH E-3. WHILE PORTER HOSPITAL HAS FOLLOWED THE CATHOLIC HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION'S GUIDANCE AND HAS NOT CONSIDERED ANY MEDICARE SHORTFALL (REPORTED IN PART III, LINE 7) AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT, IT IS LIKELY THAT SOME PORTION OF MEDICARE PATIENTS WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR CHARITY CARE UNDER OUR POLICIES IN THE ABSENCE OF MEDICARE COVERAGE, SUCH THAT SHORTFALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE PATIENTS WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

PART III, LINE 9B:
THE ORGANIZATION'S WRITTEN DEBT COLLECTION POLICY PROVIDES THAT PATIENTS INDICATING AN INABILITY TO MEET THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE TO BE REFERRED TO THE PATIENT FINANCIAL ADVOCATE. THE POLICY PROVIDES FURTHER THAT PATIENTS WHO APPLY UNDER THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY ARE NOT CHARGED MORE THAN AMOUNTS GENERALLY BILLED AND QUALIFY FOR A SLIDING SCALE DISCOUNT. THE BILLING AND COLLECTIONS PROCESS IS EXTENDED FOR UP TO THE LATTER OF 240 DAYS OR SIX WEEKS AFTER A PATIENT HAS REQUESTED A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FOR PATIENTS REQUESTING A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. ONCE A PATIENT IS DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ALL PAYMENTS MADE IN EXCESS OF THE FAP-ELIGIBLE AMOUNT ARE FUNDED AND THE FAP-ELIGIBLE AMOUNT IS NOT PURSUED.

PART VI, LINE 2:
PORTER HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCE GROUPS INCLUDING MY HEALTHY VERMONT, THE VERMONT PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE, AND THE VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DISTRICT OFFICES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF ADDISON COUNTY, VERMONT AND SURROUNDING AREAS. RECENT COLLABORATIONS HAVE INCLUDED A FOOD BAGS PROJECT PILOTED AT PORTER WOMEN'S HEALTH, AND ADMINISTRATION OF VERMONT COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERSHIP GRANTS. ADDITIONALLY, PORTER HOSPITAL OFFERS FREE TO THE COMMUNITY A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH, PREVENTION AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND LIMIT THE NEED FOR MORE EXPENSIVE ACUTE CARE. CURRENT PROGRAMS ARE LISTED AT THE PORTER WEBSITE AT WWW.PORTERMEDICAL.ORG/CATEGORY/CLASSES-EVENTS. FINALLY, PORTER HOSPITAL HAS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL THAT CONSISTS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PORTER STAFF WORKING TOGETHER TO DRIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT PORTER AND EXPAND PATIENT ACCESS.

PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
VT

PART VI, LINE 3:
"PORTER HOSPITAL (""PORTER"") UTILIZES A VARIETY OF METHODS TO INFORM, EDUCATE, AND ASSIST PAYMENTS IN IDENTIFYING PAYMENT SOURCES, INCLUDING STATE / FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. PORTER WIDELY PUBLICIZES ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY ON ITS WEBSITE, WHICH INCLUDES THE POLICY, THE APPLICATION, AND PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. PAPER COPIES ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REGISTRATIONS DESKS IN THE ER AS WELL AS OFFSITE LOCATIONS. INDIVIDUALS ARE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAP WITH BILLING NOTICES AND OTHER BROCHURES PLACED THROUGHOUT PORTER FACILITIES.PORTER MAINTAINS ITS OWN HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP ELIGIBLE LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES OBTAIN PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, EYEGLASSES, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AT NO COST. THE HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH ENROLLMENT IN STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OBTAINING INSURANCE THROUGH THE VERMONT HEALTH CONNECT EXCHANGE, AND PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT WITH OBTAINING OTHER HEALTH CARE RELATED RESOURCES.ADDITIONALLY, PORTER'S OFFICE OF PATIENT AND FAMILY ADVOCACY IS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH CONCERNS ABOUT DELIVERY OF CARE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO COSTS."

PART VI, LINE 4:
ADDISON COUNTY IS LOCATED IN THE LOWER CHAMPLAIN VALLEY OF VERMONT WITH LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND THE ADIRONDACKS TO THE WEST AND THE GREEN MOUNTAINS TO THE EAST. THE UNIQUE LANDSCAPE OF ADDISON COUNTY, THE FARMLANDS OF THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY, AND THE PREDOMINATELY WOODED SETTINGS NEAR THE GREEN MOUNTAINS PROMOTE A BLEND OF LIGHT INDUSTRY AND FARMING. THE MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN THE COUNTY INCLUDE MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, PORTER MEDICAL CENTER (AND ITS AFFILIATES INCLUDING PORTER HOSPITAL), AND COLLINS AEROSPACE.PORTER HOSPITAL SERVES 36,777 RESIDENTS LOCATED IN ADDISON COUNTY, VERMONT, WHICH COMPRISES APPROXIMATELY 6% OF THE STATE'S TOTAL POPULATION. AS OF 2019, A VAST MAJORITY (94.5%) OF ADDISON COUNTY RESIDENTS WERE WHITE, NON-HISPANIC. HISPANIC OR LATINO RESIDENTS ARE ADDISON COUNTY'S MORE PREVALENT MINORITY POPULATION AT 2.3%. THE US CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES THAT 4.7% OF ADDISON COUNTY RESIDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 65 WERE UNINSURED IN 2019. 93.5% OF THE POPULATION HAS A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR HIGHER, 39.6% OF THE POPULATION HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER, AND 7.9% OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AS OF 2019 WAS $68,825.

PART VI, LINE 5:
"IN ADDITION TO THE COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY:PORTER HOSPITAL (""PORTER"") PROVIDES RENT-FREE CLINIC SPACE AND VOUCHERS FOR NO-COST ANCILLARY SERVICES TO THE LOCAL OPEN DOOR CLINIC IN ITS ROLE AS A CATALYST IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO ITS ENTIRE COMMUNITY. PORTER OFFERS FREE AND LOW COST COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON HEALTH CARE TOPICS INCLUDING MEMORY LOSS, DEMENTIA, BREAST CANCER SCREENING, BASIC DIABETES, CPR, SMOKING CESSATION, NUTRITION, PHYSICAL FITNESS, PARENTING, PRENATAL EXERCISE AND BREASTFEEDING. A MAJORITY OF THE GOVERNING BODY IS COMPRISED OF PERSONS WHO RESIDE IN ITS SERVICE AREA AND WHO ARE NEITHER EMPLOYEES NOR CONTRACTORS OF PORTER NOR FAMILY MEMBERS THEREOF. MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES ARE EXTENDED TO ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY. SURPLUS FUNDS ARE INVESTED IN TECHNOLOGY, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS."

PART VI, LINE 6:
"ON APRIL 1, 2017, THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT HEALTH NETWORK (""UVMHN"") BECAME THE SOLE MEMBER OF PORTER MEDICAL CENTER, INC., THE PARENT ORGANIZATION FOR BOTH PORTER HOSPITAL AND HELEN PORTER NURSING HOME, INC. WITH SIX HOSPITALS ACROSS VERMONT AND NORTHERN NEW YORK, AS WELL AS A MEDICAL GROUP, AND AFFILIATED CLINICS, NURSING HOMES, AND NON-HOSPITAL FACILITIES, UVMHN COMPRISES AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE SERVING ITS COMMUNITIES. UVMHN CARRIES OUT CENTRALIZED ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF PATIENTS OF ALL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING IMPROVING ACCESS TO LOCAL CARE, COST SAVINGS THROUGH GREATER JOINT PURCHASING POWER, ENHANCING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INCREASING ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICIANS, ENGAGING IN REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND PARTICIPATING IN JOINT QUALITY AND CLINICAL INITIATIVES, AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS. PORTER HOSPITAL REGULARLY PARTNERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDERS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS COMMUNITY. THIS INCLUDES WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANIZED SYSTEMS OF CARE (LIKE HOME HEALTH AGENCIES AND PHYSICIAN PRACTICES), AS WELL AS COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE MISSIONS ARE SIMILAR. FOR EXAMPLE, PORTER HOSPITAL COLLABORATES WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO REGULARLY ASSESS COMMUNITY AND HEALTH CARE NEEDS, WHICH HELPS GUIDE THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIORITIES."