REPORT: CHARITY CARE ON THE DECLINE AT NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS

The value of charity care at local hospitals declined last year in New jersey by 3 per cent, or $33.5 million. The report by the New Jersey Department of Health says the drop in charity care follows a steady increase over the previous four years. Charity care at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point dropped nearly 50 per cent in 2011. Charity care was down slightly at Cape Regional Medical Center and the South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Vineland. The U.S. Census report 2.4 million additional people secured health insurance coverage in 2011, and hospital admissions were down by 4 per cent in New Jersey last year.