Report: Minnesota’s nonprofit hospitals among the least charitable in the country

For many low-to-middle-income households, a health emergency can quickly turn into a financial one. Because nonprofit hospitals and health systems receive tax breaks, they are legally obligated to help cover some patients’ medical bills. But Minnesota’s hospitals do this at a lower rate, on average, than in most other states. In other words, they are some of the least charitable in the nation. That’s according to a recent investigation by the Minnesota Star Tribune and the health outlet KFF News. Star Tribune reporter Jeremy Olson joined Minnesota Now to talk about what their report found.