Claire Dawson
In the United States, there are several different ownership models for hospitals, including governmental ownership. Government hospitals, also known as public hospitals, are typically funded by the government and taxpayer dollars. They play a vital role in the healthcare system by providing access to care for specific populations and underserved communities, such as veterans, active-duty military personnel, Native Americans, and low-income individuals. While there are about 200 federal government hospitals in the US, there were 965 public hospitals in 2021 out of a total of 5,198 hospitals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals in the USA | 6,093 |
| Number of public hospitals in the USA | 965 |
| Percentage of emergency care handled by public hospitals | 23% |
| Percentage of burn care handled by public hospitals | 63% |
| Percentage of trauma care handled by public hospitals | 40% |
| Number of staffed beds in the largest government hospital | 1,595 |
| Ownership models | Proprietary, voluntary nonprofit, and governmental |
| Ownership levels | Federal, state, county, local, municipal, regional, or national |
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What You'll Learn
The US government operates around 200 hospitals
Public hospitals in the US are funded by the government and taxpayer dollars, with 64% of health spending in 2013 being paid for by the government. The government funds healthcare through various programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Tricare, and the Veterans Health Administration. Additionally, the 1946 Hill-Burton Act provided federal funding for hospitals in exchange for treating low-income patients.
The number of hospitals in the US is approximately 6,000, with the exact figure depending on the source and year of data collection. The American Hospital Association's 2023 survey reported 6,093 hospitals, while another source stated there were 5,534 registered hospitals in 2018. The number of government-owned hospitals within this total is not specified in these sources.
The US healthcare system includes a mix of government-owned, non-profit, and for-profit hospitals. The nonprofit hospital sector has remained stable at around 70% of total hospital capacity for decades. However, the ownership of healthcare facilities is now mainly in private hands, with the largest hospital system by revenue in 2019 being a merger between Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives.
The US government's involvement in healthcare extends beyond just owning hospitals. There are also 355 registered free clinics that provide limited medical services as part of the social safety net for those without health insurance. These clinics offer acute and long-term care services, including STI treatment, dentistry, and counseling. Additionally, federally funded community health centers and long-term housing facilities, such as nursing homes, are part of the healthcare safety net.
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There are over 6,000 hospitals in the US
The United States is home to over 6,000 hospitals, with sources stating the exact number to be 6,093. The first public hospital in the country was NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue (formerly Bellevue Hospital Center), which opened its doors in 1736. Since then, the number of hospitals in the US has grown steadily, with the Definitive Healthcare HospitalView product tracking more than 7,300 active hospitals across the nation. This number includes various types of hospitals, such as short-term acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and religious non-medical health care institutions.
Short-term acute care hospitals are the most common type, accounting for more than half of the hospitals in the US. These hospitals provide traditional inpatient services for emergency and non-urgent medical care. Critical access hospitals are the second most common type, with over 1,300 facilities nationwide. Psychiatric hospitals offer 24/7 inpatient services for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses under the supervision of physicians.
Rehabilitation hospitals focus on improving or restoring patients' functional abilities through therapy programs. Religious non-medical health care institutions provide 24-hour non-medical care to patients whose religious beliefs prevent them from accepting conventional medical treatments. Instead, they assist patients with daily activities, nutritional needs, and comfort. VA hospitals, run by the Veteran's Administration and funded by the federal government, cater specifically to war veterans and retired military personnel.
Public hospitals, also known as government-owned hospitals, rely on government and taxpayer funding to cover all expenses. The UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center in San Francisco, the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston are among the top-ranked public hospitals in the US in terms of net patient revenue.
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Examples of government hospitals in the US
In the United States, hospitals can be classified under several ownership models, including proprietary, voluntary non-profit, and governmental ownership. Government-owned hospitals are funded by the government and taxpayer dollars, and they are also referred to as public hospitals.
There are about 200 federal government hospitals operating in the United States, overseen by the Department of Defense (DOD), the Veterans Health Administration (VA), and the Indian Health Service (HIS), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These hospitals provide healthcare services to specific patient populations, such as veterans, active military members, Native Americans, and low-income individuals.
- Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida: This is the government hospital with the most staffed beds in the US, with 1,595 beds.
- UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama: This hospital ranks third in the number of staffed beds, with 1,166 beds. It is a state-owned academic medical center and the primary hospital for the UAB Health System, known for its research and teaching programs.
- UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights in San Francisco, California: This is the top-ranked public hospital in the US by net patient revenue, with over $5.4 billion in net patient revenue as of July 2024.
- University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Ranked second in net patient revenue with $4.9 billion, this hospital is also a renowned academic medical center.
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas: This cancer center ranks third in net patient revenue with $4.6 billion.
- Veteran's Administration hospitals and clinics: These medical facilities are run by the federal government and provide care specifically for veterans.
- Central Health in Travis County, Texas: This hospital district is a special-purpose governmental entity created through state legislation and funded by local taxes.
These hospitals play a vital role in providing access to care for underserved communities and often offer low-cost or no-cost services, particularly in emergency and essential care.
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Top public hospitals in the US by net patient revenue
Net patient revenue (NPR) is a key financial metric used to assess hospitals' financial strength. It is calculated by subtracting patient discounts from the total revenue collected from patients and payors.
In the United States, there are 6,093 hospitals in total, 1,527 of which are public hospitals. These public hospitals fall under several ownership categories based on the level of government: city, city-county, county, federal, hospital district, state, and other.
The top 25 public hospitals in the US by net patient revenue (NPR) in 2023 are:
- UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights, San Francisco, California - $5.4 billion NPR
- University Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan - $4.9 billion NPR
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas - $4.6 billion NPR
The top three hospitals on this list are all located in states with a high population density, which is a key factor in their financial success. California, the most populous state in the country, has six public hospitals in the top 25. Urban hospitals, particularly those that are part of a large health system, tend to have higher profit margins and excess revenue.
The average net patient revenue for hospitals in the US is about $237 million, while the average for the top 50 hospitals is $3.9 billion. The combined net patient revenue of the top 50 hospitals accounts for 14% of the total net patient revenue among all hospitals in the US.
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Government hospitals provide care for specific patient populations
In the United States, there are approximately 6,093 hospitals, including 1,527 public hospitals. These public hospitals, also known as government or federal hospitals, are funded by the government and taxpayer dollars. They are owned by different levels of government, including city, city-county, county, federal, hospital district, and state. Government hospitals provide healthcare services to specific patient populations, such as active military members, veterans, and Native Americans. They often offer free or discounted care to these patients.
Government hospitals play a crucial role in serving the healthcare needs of these select populations. For example, veterans' hospitals provide specialized medical services to retired military personnel, addressing their unique physical and mental health needs arising from their military service. Similarly, government hospitals serving Native American communities recognize and address the specific health challenges faced by these populations, ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
In addition to hospitals, government agencies also operate clinics that provide outpatient services. These clinics offer a more focused range of healthcare services compared to hospitals, which cater to both inpatient and outpatient needs. Clinics can be government-run or operated by private entities and partnerships between surgeons or private physicians. They play a vital role in delivering accessible and localized healthcare to communities across the country.
Federal hospitals are distinct from non-profit hospitals, for-profit hospitals, and free hospitals. Non-profit hospitals reinvest their earnings into improving facilities and services, while for-profit hospitals distribute profits to shareholders. Free hospitals, as the name suggests, do not charge patients for their services.
Some notable government hospitals in the United States include the UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center in San Francisco, the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital in Houston, Texas. These hospitals offer comprehensive healthcare services to their respective communities, contributing to the overall well-being of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several government hospitals in the USA.
There are about 200 federal government hospitals in the USA. In 2021, there were 965 public hospitals out of a total of 5,198 hospitals in the country.
The federal government, state governments, or local governments own government hospitals in the USA.
Some examples of government hospitals in the USA include the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital in Houston, and UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.
Government hospitals in the USA often serve specific populations and underserved communities, including veterans, active-duty military personnel, Native Americans, and low-income individuals.
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