Meeting the health care needs of our communities is the cornerstone of Sutter Health's not-for-profit mission. This includes directly serving those who cannot afford to pay for health care and supporting programs and services that help those in financial need.

In 2008, our network of physician organizations, hospitals and other health care providers invested $599 million (compared to $548 million in 2007) in health care programs, services and benefits for the poor and underserved. This includes:

• The cost of providing charity care


• The unpaid costs of participating in Medi-Cal


• Investments in medical research, health education and community-based public benefit programs such as school-based clinics and prenatal care for patients.

Sutter now provides nearly $2 million in charity care per week, as a result of an expanded charity care policy adopted systemwide in 2004. Our traditional charity care contribution in 2008 reached a record $96 million—an increase from $77 million in 2007.

Traditional charity care covers health care services provided to patients who cannot afford to pay and who meet certain other criteria.