SCHEDULE H
(Form 990)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Hospitals
MediumBullet Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, question 20.
MediumBullet Attach to Form 990.
MediumBullet Go to www.irs.gov/Form990EZ for instructions and the latest information.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2018
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
Southcoast Health System Inc
 
Employer identification number

04-2794625
Part I
Financial Assistance and Certain Other Community Benefits at Cost
Yes
No
1a
Did the organization have a financial assistance policy during the tax year? If "No," skip to question 6a . . . .
1a
Yes
 
b
If "Yes," was it a written policy? ......................
1b
Yes
 
2
If the organization had multiple hospital facilities, indicate which of the following best describes application of the financial assistance policy to its various hospital facilities during the tax year.
3
Answer the following based on the financial assistance eligibility criteria that applied to the largest number of the organization's patients during the tax year.
a
Did the organization use Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) as a factor in determining eligibility for providing free care?
If "Yes," indicate which of the following was the FPG family income limit for eligibility for free care:
3a
Yes
 
%
b
Did the organization use FPG as a factor in determining eligibility for providing discounted care? If "Yes," indicate
which of the following was the family income limit for eligibility for discounted care: . . . . . . . .
3b
Yes
 
%
c
If the organization used factors other than FPG in determining eligibility, describe in Part VI the criteria used for determining eligibility for free or discounted care. Include in the description whether the organization used an asset test or other threshold, regardless of income, as a factor in determining eligibility for free or discounted care.
4
Did the organization's financial assistance policy that applied to the largest number of its patients during the tax year provide for free or discounted care to the "medically indigent"? . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

Yes

 
5a
Did the organization budget amounts for free or discounted care provided under its financial assistance policy during
the tax year? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5a

Yes

 
b
If "Yes," did the organization's financial assistance expenses exceed the budgeted amount? . . . . . .
5b
Yes
 
c
If "Yes" to line 5b, as a result of budget considerations, was the organization unable to provide free or discountedcare to a patient who was eligibile for free or discounted care? . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5c
 
No
6a
Did the organization prepare a community benefit report during the tax year? . . . . . . . . .
6a
 
No
b
If "Yes," did the organization make it available to the public? . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6b
 
 
Complete the following table using the worksheets provided in the Schedule H instructions. Do not submit these worksheets with the Schedule H.
7
Financial Assistance and Certain Other Community Benefits at Cost
Financial Assistance and
Means-Tested
Government Programs
 (a) Number of activities or programs (optional) (b) Persons served (optional) (c) Total community benefit expense (d) Direct offsetting revenue (e) Net community benefit expense (f) Percent of total expense
a Financial Assistance at cost
(from Worksheet 1) . . . 		    16,030   16,030 0.310 %
b Medicaid (from Worksheet 3, column a) . . . . .     2,810,848 2,810,848 0 0 %
c Costs of other means-tested government programs (from Worksheet 3, column b) . .            
d Total Financial Assistance and Means-Tested Government Programs . . . . .     2,826,878 2,810,848 16,030 0.310 %
Other Benefits
e Community health improvement services and community benefit operations (from Worksheet 4).            
f Health professions education (from Worksheet 5) . . .            
g Subsidized health services (from Worksheet 6) . . . .            
h Research (from Worksheet 7) .            
i Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit (from Worksheet 8) . . . .            
j Total. Other Benefits . .            
k Total. Add lines 7d and 7j .     2,826,878 2,810,848 16,030 0.310 %
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990. Cat. No. 50192T Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
Page
Part II
Community Building Activities Complete this table if the organization conducted any community building activities during the tax year, and describe in Part VI how its community building activities promoted the health of the communities it serves.
(a) Number of activities or programs (optional) (b) Persons served (optional) (c) Total community building expense (d) Direct offsetting
revenue 		(e) Net community building expense (f) Percent of total expense
1 Physical improvements and housing            
2 Economic development            
3 Community support            
4 Environmental improvements            
5 Leadership development and
training for community members		            
6 Coalition building            
7 Community health improvement advocacy            
8 Workforce development            
9 Other            
10 Total            
Part III
Bad Debt, Medicare, & Collection Practices
Section A. Bad Debt Expense
Yes
No
1
Did the organization report bad debt expense in accordance with Heathcare Financial Management Association Statement No. 15? ..........................
1
Yes
 
2
Enter the amount of the organization's bad debt expense. Explain in Part VI the methodology used by the organization to estimate this amount. ......
2
1,029,780
3
Enter the estimated amount of the organization's bad debt expense attributable to patients eligible under the organization's financial assistance policy. Explain in Part VI the methodology used by the organization to estimate this amount and the rationale, if any, for including this portion of bad debt as community benefit. ......
3
210,268
4
Provide in Part VI the text of the footnote to the organization’s financial statements that describes bad debt expense or the page number on which this footnote is contained in the attached financial statements.
Section B. Medicare
5
Enter total revenue received from Medicare (including DSH and IME).....
5
10,138,306
6
Enter Medicare allowable costs of care relating to payments on line 5.....
6
7,723,745
7
Subtract line 6 from line 5. This is the surplus (or shortfall)........
7
2,414,561
8
Describe in Part VI the extent to which any shortfall reported in line 7 should be treated as community benefit.Also describe in Part VI the costing methodology or source used to determine the amount reported on line 6.Check the box that describes the method used:
Section C. Collection Practices
9a
Did the organization have a written debt collection policy during the tax year? ..........
9a
Yes
 
b
If "Yes," did the organization’s collection policy that applied to the largest number of its patients during the tax year
contain provisions on the collection practices to be followed for patients who are known to qualify for financial assistance? Describe in Part VI .........................

9b

Yes

 
Part IV
Management Companies and Joint Ventures(owned 10% or more by officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and physicians—see instructions)
(a) Name of entity (b) Description of primary
activity of entity 		(c) Organization's
profit % or stock
ownership % 		(d) Officers, directors,
trustees, or key
employees' profit %
or stock ownership % 		(e) Physicians'
profit % or stock
ownership %
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
Page
Part VFacility Information
Section A. Hospital Facilities
(list in order of size from largest to smallest—see instructions)How many hospital facilities did the organization operate during the tax year?1Name, address, primary website address, and state license number (and if a group return, the name and EIN of the subordinate hospital organization that operates the hospital facility) 		Licensed Hospital General-Medical-Surgical Children's Hospital Teaching Hospital Critical Hospital ResearchGrp Facility ER-24Hours ER-Other Other (describe) Facility reporting group
1 NORTHEAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LLC DBA
SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 581 Fa
Corner Road Dartmouth,MA02747
http://www.southcoastbehavioral.com/
1055 		X               PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL  
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Section B. Facility Policies and Practices

(Complete a separate Section B for each of the hospital facilities or facility reporting groups listed in Part V, Section A)
SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SBH)
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Line number of hospital facility, or line numbers of hospital facilities in a facility
reporting group (from Part V, Section A): 		 
Yes No
Community Health Needs Assessment
1 Was the hospital facility first licensed, registered, or similarly recognized by a state as a hospital facility in the current tax year or the immediately preceding tax year?........................ 1   No
2 Was the hospital facility acquired or placed into service as a tax-exempt hospital in the current tax year or the immediately preceding tax year? If “Yes,” provide details of the acquisition in Section C............... 2   No
3 During the tax year or either of the two immediately preceding tax years, did the hospital facility conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA)? If "No," skip to line 12...................... 3   No
If "Yes," indicate what the CHNA report describes (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
4 Indicate the tax year the hospital facility last conducted a CHNA: 20  
5 In conducting its most recent CHNA, did the hospital facility take into account input from persons who represent the broad interests of the community served by the hospital facility, including those with special knowledge of or expertise in public health? If "Yes," describe in Section C how the hospital facility took into account input from persons who represent the community, and identify the persons the hospital facility consulted ................. 5    
6 a Was the hospital facility’s CHNA conducted with one or more other hospital facilities? If "Yes," list the other hospital facilities in Section C.................................. 6a    
b Was the hospital facility’s CHNA conducted with one or more organizations other than hospital facilities?” If “Yes,” list the other organizations in Section C. ............................ 6b    
7 Did the hospital facility make its CHNA report widely available to the public?.............. 7    
If "Yes," indicate how the CHNA report was made widely available (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
8 Did the hospital facility adopt an implementation strategy to meet the significant community health needs
identified through its most recently conducted CHNA? If "No," skip to line 11. .............. 		8    
9 Indicate the tax year the hospital facility last adopted an implementation strategy: 20  
10 Is the hospital facility's most recently adopted implementation strategy posted on a website?......... 10    
a If "Yes" (list url):  
b If "No," is the hospital facility’s most recently adopted implementation strategy attached to this return? ...... 10b    
11 Describe in Section C how the hospital facility is addressing the significant needs identified in its most recently conducted CHNA and any such needs that are not being addressed together with the reasons why such needs are not being addressed.
12a Did the organization incur an excise tax under section 4959 for the hospital facility's failure to conduct a CHNA as required by section 501(r)(3)?............................... 12a   No
b If "Yes" on line 12a, did the organization file Form 4720 to report the section 4959 excise tax?........ 12b    
c If "Yes" on line 12b, what is the total amount of section 4959 excise tax the organization reported on Form 4720 for all of its hospital facilities? $  

Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Financial Assistance Policy (FAP)
SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SBH)
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Yes No
Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a written financial assistance policy that:
13 Explained eligibility criteria for financial assistance, and whether such assistance included free or discounted care? 13 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate the eligibility criteria explained in the FAP:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
14 Explained the basis for calculating amounts charged to patients?................. 14 Yes  
15 Explained the method for applying for financial assistance?................... 15 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate how the hospital facility’s FAP or FAP application form (including accompanying instructions) explained the method for applying for financial assistance (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
16 Was widely publicized within the community served by the hospital facility?........ 16 Yes  
If "Yes," indicate how the hospital facility publicized the policy (check all that apply):
a
SEE SECTION C
b
SEE SECTION C
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Billing and Collections
SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SBH)
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Yes No
17 Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a separate billing and collections policy, or a written financial assistance policy (FAP) that explained all of the actions the hospital facility or other authorized party may take upon nonpayment?.................................. 17 Yes  
18 Check all of the following actions against an individual that were permitted under the hospital facility's policies during the tax year before making reasonable efforts to determine the individual’s eligibility under the facility’s FAP:
a
b
c
d
e
f
19 Did the hospital facility or other authorized party perform any of the following actions during the tax year before making reasonable efforts to determine the individual’s eligibility under the facility’s FAP?............ 19   No
If "Yes," check all actions in which the hospital facility or a third party engaged:
a
b
c
d
e
20 Indicate which efforts the hospital facility or other authorized party made before initiating any of the actions listed (whether or not checked) in line 19. (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
Policy Relating to Emergency Medical Care
21 Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a written policy relating to emergency medical care that required the hospital facility to provide, without discrimination, care for emergency medical conditions to individuals regardless of their eligibility under the hospital facility’s financial assistance policy?.................. 21 Yes  
If "No," indicate why:
a
b
c
d
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Charges to Individuals Eligible for Assistance Under the FAP (FAP-Eligible Individuals)
SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SBH)
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Yes No
22 Indicate how the hospital facility determined, during the tax year, the maximum amounts that can be charged to FAP-eligible individuals for emergency or other medically necessary care.
a
b
c
d
23 During the tax year, did the hospital facility charge any FAP-eligible individual to whom the hospital facility provided emergency or other medically necessary services more than the amounts generally billed to individuals who had insurance covering such care? ............................... 23   No
If "Yes," explain in Section C.
24 During the tax year, did the hospital facility charge any FAP-eligible individual an amount equal to the gross charge for any service provided to that individual? ........................... 24   No
If "Yes," explain in Section C.
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part V
Facility Information (continued)
Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B. Provide descriptions required for Part V, Section B, lines 2, 3j, 5, 6a, 6b, 7d, 11, 13b, 13h, 15e, 16j, 18e, 19e, 20e, 21c, 21d, 23, and 24. If applicable, provide separate descriptions for each hospital facility in a facility reporting group, designated by facility reporting group letter and hospital facility line number from Part V, Section A (“A, 1,” “A, 4,” “B, 2,” “B, 3,” etc.) and name of hospital facility.
Form and Line Reference Explanation
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3 IN MARCH 2015, SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM ACQUIRED A 25% INTEREST IN NORTHEAST BEHAVIORAL, LLC, THAT OWNS A 120-BED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IN DARTMOUTH, MA, DOING BUSINESS AS SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SBH). SBH HAD NOT ADOPTED A CHNA IN FISCAL 2019. SBH IS PART OF AN AFFILIATED HEALTH SYSTEM, SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES SOUTHCOAST HOSPITAL GROUP, WHICH HAS A CHNA THAT IDENTIFIES COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS. SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM COORDINATES ACTIVITIES ACROSS ITS VARIOUS AFFILIATES. PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13H SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GRANTS FAP ELIGIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH ANY TYPE OF MEDICAID.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16A http://www.southcoastbehavioral.com/admissions/financial-assistance-policy
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16B http://www.southcoastbehavioral.com/admissions/financial-assistance-policy
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16C http://www.southcoastbehavioral.com/admissions/financial-assistance-policy
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J THE HOSPITAL EMPLOYED FINANCIAL COUNSELOR MEETS WITH EVERY PATIENT THAT IS IDENTIFIED THAT MAY HAVE A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION, AND REVIEWS THE POLICY AND OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL PATIENTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR CHARITY.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Section D. Other Health Care Facilities That Are Not Licensed, Registered, or Similarly Recognized as a Hospital Facility
(list in order of size, from largest to smallest)
How many non-hospital health care facilities did the organization operate during the tax year?  
Name and address Type of Facility (describe)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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Part VI
Supplemental Information
Provide the following information.
1 Required descriptions. Provide the descriptions required for Part I, lines 3c, 6a, and 7; Part II and Part III, lines 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9b.
2 Needs assessment. Describe how the organization assesses the health care needs of the communities it serves, in addition to any CHNAs reported in Part V, Section B.
3 Patient education of eligibility for assistance. Describe how the organization informs and educates patients and persons who may be billed for patient care about their eligibility for assistance under federal, state, or local government programs or under the organization’s financial assistance policy.
4 Community information. Describe the community the organization serves, taking into account the geographic area and demographic constituents it serves.
5 Promotion of community health. Provide any other information important to describing how the organization’s hospital facilities or other health care facilities further its exempt purpose by promoting the health of the community (e.g., open medical staff, community board, use of surplus funds, etc.).
6 Affiliated health care system. If the organization is part of an affiliated health care system, describe the respective roles of the organization and its affiliates in promoting the health of the communities served.
7 State filing of community benefit report. If applicable, identify all states with which the organization, or a related organization, files a community benefit report.
Form and Line Reference Explanation
PART I, LINE 7 AMOUNTS REPORTED IN PART I, LINE 7 WERE DERIVED USING THE ACTUAL COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED BASED ON THE TOTAL COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO DERIVED FROM SBH'S MEDICARE COST REPORT.
PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN F IN MARCH 2015, SOUTHCOAST ACQUIRED A 25% INTEREST IN NORTHEAST BEHAVIORAL, LLC, WHICH OWNS A 120-BED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL DOING BUSINESS AS SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SBH). SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM'S INTEREST IN SBH IS RECORDED AS UNDER THE EQUITY METHOD OF ACCOUNTING IN SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AMOUNTS REPORTED IN PART I, LINE 7 REPRESENT SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM'S ALLOCABLE SHARE OF SBH'S TOTAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT EXPENSES AND DIRECT OFFSETTING REVENUE. THE DENOMINATOR USED TO CALCULATE THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PERCENT OF TOTAL EXPENSE IN PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F), REPRESENTS SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM'S ALLOCABLE SHARE OF SBH'S TOTAL EXPENSE (EXCLUDING BAD DEBT EXPENSE), PLUS SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM'S TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSE AS REPORTED IN PART IX. AMOUNTS REPORTED IN PART III REPRESENT SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM'S ALLOCABLE SHARE OF SBH'S MEDICARE AND BAD DEBT AMOUNTS.
PART III, LINE 2 BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS A COMBINATION OF RESERVES BASED ON THE AGE OF THE ACCOUNT, AND ACTUAL WRITE-OFFS OF BALANCES DETERMINED UNCOLLECTIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUSINESS OFFICE POLICIES OF SBH. AFDA IS RESERVED FOR AS FOLLOWS: 35% OF ALL MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLES/COINSURANCE, 33% OF 0-30 DAY SELF-PAY, 67% OF 31-60 DAY SELF-PAY, AND 100% THEREAFTER; 2% OF 0-30 DAY INSURANCE, 5% OF 31-90 DAY INSURANCE, 10% OF 91-120 DAY INSURANCE, 40% OF 121-150 DAY INSURANCE, 70% OF 151-180 DAY INSURANCE, AND 100% OF >180 DAY INSURANCE. ADDITIONALLY, 65% OF MEDICARE BAD DEBT WRITE OFFS ARE RECOVERABLE ON THE MEDICARE COST REPORT AND AS SUCH, THEY ARE RECORDED AS AN OFFSET TO BAD DEBT EXPENSE.
PART III, LINE 3 PER SOUTHCOAST'S ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION WOULD QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT DO NOT APPLY. DUE TO THIS SOUTHCOAST CONSIDERS THIS AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT EXPENSE.
PART III, LINE 4 THE FOOTNOTE RELATED TO ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS STARTS ON PAGE 13 OF THE ATTACHED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
PART III, LINE 8 THE COSTING METHODOLOGY USED TO DETERMINE ALLOWABLE COSTS IS BASED ON THE ACTUAL COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED BASED ON THE TOTAL COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO DERIVED FROM SBH'S MEDICARE COST REPORT.
PART III, LINE 9B IN THE EVENT THAT A PATIENT QUALIFIES FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT FAILS TO TIMELY PAY ANY REMAINING BALANCE DUE (INCLUDING, IF APPLICABLE, PER THE TERMS OF THE AGREED-UPON PAYMENT PLAN), SOUTHCOAST MAY TAKE ANY OF THE ACTIONS SET FORTH IN THE HOSPITAL'S BILLING AND COLLECTION POLICY, INCLUDING SENDING REMAINING SELF-PAY BALANCES TO A THIRD PARTY COLLECTION AGENCY WITHIN 90-120 DAYS OF PATIENT'S DISCHARGE DATE. CONSISTENT WITH THE BILLING AND COLLECTION POLICY, THE HOSPITAL WILL NOT UNDERTAKE ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION ACTIONS (AS DEFINED IN THAT POLICY) WITHOUT FIRST MAKING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO DETERMINE A PATIENT'S ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO THIS POLICY.
PART VI, LINE 2 SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM THROUGH ITS INTEREST IN SBH AIMS TO ADDRESS AN URGENT HEALTHCARE NEED OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FACING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES. SERVICES PROVIDED BY SBH ADDRESS NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY ITS AFFILIATE SOUTHCOAST HOSPITAL GROUP IN ITS MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT.
PART VI, LINE 3 THE HOSPITAL EMPLOYED FINANCIAL COUNSELOR MEETS WITH EVERY PATIENT THAT IS IDENTIFIED THAT MAY HAVE A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION, AND REVIEWS THE POLICY AND OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL PATIENTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR CHARITY.
PART VI, LINE 4 Southcoast Health system serves a diverse region along the South Coast Region of Massachusetts, including several urban centers with a number of demographic challenges, and rural and suburban towns. Overall, the South Coast's population increased by 2.8 percent since the beginning of the century and by 12.2 percent since 1970, both of which lag behind the statewide population growth rates for those periods. This gap appears to be mostly driven by long-term population declines in Fall River and New Bedford, although the population of New Bedford has increased slightly since 2010. Perhaps the most significant demographic trend in the region is its changing racial makeup. This is particularly true in the city of New Bedford, where non-White residents account for 36.6 percent of the city's population. Communities throughout the South Coast are becoming more diverse. Between the 2006-2010 and 2013-2017 periods, the minority population in the region increased by 4.7 percent (16,945 people). Fall River experienced the largest percentage increase in its minority population (7.7% or 6,895 residents), followed by New Bedford (6.7% or 6,433 residents), Fairhaven (6.6% or 1,056 residents), and Wareham (5.4% or 1,329 residents). The schools of the South Coast are often more diverse than the communities as a whole. For example, New Bedford's public schools are now majority non-white with Hispanic and Black students representing 40.5 and 12.5 percent of the total student population, respectively. The higher share of minorities in the school system compared to the community is, in part, a product of the national trend of minority births exceeding white births. As this trend continues, the student population in the region will only grow more diverse. The South Coast has long been an attractive place to settle for immigrants, as evidenced by foreign-born residents representing 14.5 percent of the region's population. As Gateway Cities, New Bedford and Fall River have been traditional destinations for new arrivals to America since the late 18th century. During the 2013-2017 period, 18.7 percent of residents in Fall River and 20.0 percent of residents in New Bedford were born outside of the country. In both cities, Portuguese immigrants make up the majority of the foreign-born residents. However, as emigration from Europe to the U.S. has slowed, Latin American and Asian immigrants make up increasing shares of the populations in New Bedford and Fall River. As major destinations for the region's newly arrived immigrants, New Bedford and Fall River have the highest shares of residents reporting limited English proficiency, 14.0 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively. The age cohorts in the South Coast generally reflect their counterparts at the state level. However, the region has a slightly higher share of residents 65 years of age or older, which is more pronounced in the region's towns. Fall River and New Bedford have larger shares of the population under the age of 35 when compared to their metro areas and the South Coast overall. As a region, the South Coast has long struggled with low levels of educational attainment. Although the regional average is primarily driven by the low levels of educational attainment in Fall River and New Bedford, many of the region's towns also lag behind the state in educational attainment of post-secondary degrees. In both cities, the majority of the population 25 years of age or older has never attended a college or university. Additionally, when compared to the adult population statewide, both Fall River and New Bedford have nearly three times the percentage of adults who have not completed high school (27.9% and 27.3%, respectively) compared to the Commonwealth (9.7%). Inflation-adjusted median household income increased in seven South Coast communities from the 2006-2010 to the 2013-2017 periods. Seven South Coast communities have median incomes that are above the state average. Median incomes are particularly low in Fall River (4th lowest in Massachusetts) and New Bedford (7th lowest in Massachusetts). Acushnet, Fairhaven, Somerset, and Wareham also have median incomes below the state average. While the South Coast has a higher share of people living in poverty than the state, the region's cities are home to disproportionate shares of people in poverty. Over 20 percent (20.2%) of all people in Fall River and 23.1 percent of people in New Bedford live in households with annual incomes below the poverty level. This translates to 39,247 individuals living in poverty in just the cities of the South Coast alone. Poverty rates decreased in five South Coast communities between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 periods, while rates increased in eight communities. In Fall River and New Bedford, these measures of poverty are higher than the region and the state as a whole. For example, less than 10 percent of all families statewide live in poverty (7.8%), compared with 11.9 percent of all families in the South Coast and 17.5 percent of families in Fall River and 19.3 percent of families in New Bedford. In addition, the percentage of families with children living in poverty in Fall River and New Bedford is more than double the statewide percentage. The region's changing racial makeup and continued socioeconomic struggles place unique stresses on healthcare delivery, particularly in addressing health disparities based on race, income, and education. The region's health is affected by the physical conditions of the South Coast. A person's physical environment can profoundly affect health outcomes. Environmental factors that affect health outcomes include, but are not limited to, access to healthy food, air quality, water quality, and environmental contamination. In particular, exposure to contaminants through pathways from the air, water, soil, and food can lead to extreme health issues. The analysis shows that South Coast residents face environmental factors that may be a detriment to their health. For example: - Bristol County, which comprises most of the Southcoast Service area, has the highest rate of food insecurity in southeastern Massachusetts, with 10.3 percent of all county residents lacking access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life. - Walkable communities allow residents to reduce or even eliminate their use of automobiles, typically the second largest household expense in the U.S. These communities also convey immediate benefits to the environment since, unlike motorized transportation, walking produces no pollutants. Walking has the potential to confer beneficial effects for health, personal finances, the environment and more. The South Coast cities of Fall River and New Bedford scored a WalkScore of 66 and 65 out of 100. This means they are characterized as "somewhat walkable" communities. However, the more rural town of Wareham, is much less walkable and scored a 48 out of 100, characterizing the town as "car-dependent". - The South Coast is home to a number of sites that contain and/or generate contaminants that can negatively affect residents' health. The South Coast is home to 57 of the state's 1,012 brownfield sites. Twelve of these are located in Fall River and 28 are located in New Bedford. On a per square mile and per 1,000 population basis, these cities have higher ratios of brownfield sites compared to the state. of these are located in Fall River and 28 are located in New Bedford. On a per square mile and per 1,000 population basis, these cities have higher ratios of brownfield sites compared to the state.
PART VI, LINE 5 THE OPERATING AGREEMENT OF SBH STATES: IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES HERETO THAT THE COMPANY THROUGH THE BEHAVIORAL BUSINESS FURTHERS THE CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CARE PURPOSES OF THE SOUTHCOAST MEMBER AND SOUTHCOAST BY PROMOTING HEALTH FOR A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY. IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE PURPOSES, THE SOUTHCOAST MEMBER MAY FROM TIME TO TIME FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT (AND/OR DIRECTLY ASSIST THE OPERATIONS MANAGER AND/OR ANY AND ALL MANAGERS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF), POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OPERATION OF THE BEHAVIORAL BUSINESS AND THE COMPANY SHALL ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT SUCH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE SOUTHCOAST MEMBER TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING ADMISSION TO THE HOSPITAL, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, INDIGENT AND CHARITY CARE RENDERED THROUGH THE BEHAVIORAL BUSINESS, PERFORMANCE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS MADE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE HOSPITAL TO THE PUBLIC.
PART VI, LINE 6 The Southcoast Health Community Benefits program works with other Southcoast affiliates including, Southcoast Behavioral Health, Southcoast Visiting Nurses Association, Southcoast Physicians Group, Southcoast Health System and Southcoast Network, to coordinate all community benefit activities designed to address pressing health issues in our region and improve access to health care. Overall approach incorporates the social determinants of health framework, and takes into account environmental, social and other demographic factors that may influence health status. Representatives from affiliated systems participate as active members of an internal Community Benefits Leadership team that meets bimonthly to share program information, discuss needs assessment, develop strategies, implementation process, evaluation and reporting of all community benefits programs. This team consists of individuals from departments that regularly engage in outreach in the community, including staff from our Southcoast Health Van, Social Services, Stroke Outreach, Diabetes Management, Behavioral Health Services, Patient Access Services, Cancer Outreach, Smoking Cessation, Youth Risk Behaviors program, Urgent Care and the Southcoast Physicians Group. The Community Benefits Manager oversees Southcoast's day-to-day community benefits activities and leads the internal Community Benefits Task Force. Southcoast also shares regular updates and presentations on community benefits activities to all Southcoast Hospital staff and affiliates through leadership meetings, employee communications and in digital media campaigns.
PART VI, LINE 7 Affiliate SHG files annual report with the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Schedule H (Form 990) 2018
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