Nearly all of Wisconsin's hospitals--a full 95 percent--are not-for-profits that enjoy a state property tax exemption. Despite resistance from the hospitals, the state is continuing to look at recouping some of that revenue with a separate hospital-specific tax. State governor Jim Doyle (D) wants to impose an 0.8 percent tax on the state's 109 non-profit hospitals, which he says will generate $418 million in revenues for the state over the next two years. The proposal has been posted by a report suggesting that the non-profits had excess revenues of $837 million in 2004. Like its brethren in other states considering hospital taxes, the Wisconsin Hospital Association characterizes the proposed tax as a "sick tax" which will end up hurting patients.
To find out more about the tax proposal:
- read this Associated Press article [1]
Related Articles:
Wisconsin's hospital tax would create winners, losers. Report [2]
WI hospitals tout community benefit. Report [3]
IL hospital loses high-profile tax case. Report [4]
VHA: Charity policy must come from the top. Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wisconsin/chi-ap-wi-xgr-hospitaltax,1,3848741.story
[2] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/wi-hospital-tax-would-create-winners-losers/2007-02-21
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/wi-hospitals-touts-community-benefit/2006-10-20
[4] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/il-hospital-loses-high-profile-tax-case/2006-10-03
[5] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/vha-charity-policy-must-come-from-the-top/2007-05-23