PART I, LINE 7:
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COST IS DERIVED FROM THE ACTUAL EXPENSE DATA ACCUMULATED WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC. ("UHS") GENERAL LEDGER WHICH ADDRESSES ALL PATIENT SEGMENTS (INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, EMERGENCY ROOM, PRIVATE INSURANCE, MEDICAID, MEDICARE, UNINSURED, AND SELF-PAY). UHS ALLOCATES THOSE EXPENSES TO ALL PATIENT SEGMENTS AT THE PROCEDURE LEVEL BASED ON A COST TO CHARGE RATIO AND AGGREGATES THE EXPENSES AT THE PATIENT LEVEL.
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PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F):
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THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25, COLUMN (A), BUT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $ 28,666,622.
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PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
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THE ACTIVITIES REPORTED IN PART II SEEK TO ACHIEVE SPECIFIED OBJECTIVES, INCLUDING: IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES, ENHANCING PUBLIC HEALTH, AND RELIEF OF GOVERNMENT BURDEN. THE ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, FOCUSING ON LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS.
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PART III, LINE 2:
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WE SCORE ALL PATIENTS ON THEIR ABILITY TO PAY 1-4 WITH 4 BEING CHARITY ELIGIBLE.
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PART III, LINE 3:
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WE SCORE ALL PATIENTS ON THEIR ABILITY TO PAY 1-4 WITH 4 BEING CHARITY ELIGIBLE.
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PART III, LINE 4:
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TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN PART III, LINES 2 AND 3, UHS USES ACTUAL EXPENSE DATA ACCUMULATED BY PATIENT WITHIN THE TRENDSTAR SYSTEM BASED ON A COST TO CHARGE RATIO.THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER UHS' CHARITY CARE POLICY CONSISTS OF ALL BAD DEBT ACCOUNTS WHEREBY THE PATIENTS:1. DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE APPROPRIATE TNCARE OR CHARITY CARE APPLICATIONS (IF THEY FOLLOWED THROUGH CHARITY MAY HAVE BEEN GRANTED).2. HAD TNCARE COVERAGE BUT NOT AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. (A MAJORITY WERE PATIENTS DISENROLLED BY THE TNCARE PROGRAM. THESE PATIENTS NEVER FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH REAPPLYING FOR TNCARE OR CHARITY CARE).3. LIABILITY AMOUNTS REMAINED UNPAID AFTER THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PAID AND THEY NEVER FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH CHARITY APPLICATION.NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE IS REPORTED AT ESTIMATED NET REALIZABLE AMOUNTS FROM PATIENTS, THIRD-PARTY PAYORS, AND OTHERS FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND INCLUDES ESTIMATED RETROACTIVE REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO FUTURE AUDITS, REVIEWS, AND INVESTIGATIONS. RETROACTIVE ADJUSTMENTS ARE CONSIDERED IN THE RECOGNITION OF REVENUE ON AN ESTIMATED BASIS IN THE PERIOD THE RELATED SERVICES ARE RENDERED, AND SUCH AMOUNTS ARE ADJUSTED IN FUTURE PERIODS AS ADJUSTMENTS BECOME KNOWN OR AS YEARS ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO SUCH AUDITS, REVIEWS, AND INVESTIGATIONS. ON THE BASIS OF HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE, A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF UHS' UNINSURED PATIENTS WILL BE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED. THEREFORE, UHS RECORDS A SIGNIFICANT PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS RELATED TO UNINSURED PATIENTS. THIS PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS IS PRESENTED ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AS A COMPONENT OF NET PATIENT REVENUE.UHS PROVIDES CARE TO PATIENTS WHO MEET CRITERIA UNDER ITS CHARITY CARE POLICY WITHOUT CHARGE OR AT AMOUNTS LESS THAN ITS ESTABLISHED RATES. UHS DOES NOT REPORT AS NET REVENUE THE CHARGES THAT QUALIFY AS CHARITY CARE BECAUSE UHS DOES NOT PURSUE COLLECTION OF THOSE AMOUNTS.
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PART III, LINE 8:
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THE MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COST REPORTED IN THE UHS MEDICARE COST REPORT, AS REFLECTED IN THE AMOUNT REPORTED IN PART III, LINE 6, IS DERIVED FROM THE ACTUAL EXPENSE DATA FROM THE UHS GENERAL LEDGER. UHS ALLOCATES THOSE EXPENSES TO PATIENTS AT THE PROCEDURE LEVEL BASED ON A COST TO CHARGE RATIO.
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PART III, LINE 9B:
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WE NOTIFY PATIENTS OF THE AVAILIBILITY OF FAP VIA STATEMENTS, POSTED NOTICES THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING WEBSITE, AND SEND CUSTOMIZED STATEMENTS WITH APPLICATIONS ATTACHED FOR ASSISTING PATIENTS TO APPLY. IF THE PATIENT REQUESTS FAP WE WILL SEND THEM AN APPLICATION UP TO 240 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THEIR FIRST STATEMENT THIS INCLUDES IF THE PATIENT IS IN BAD DEBT. WE MAKE ALL REASONABLE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE A DECISION MADE WITHIN 10 DAYS UPON RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION.
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PART VI, LINE 2:
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FOR THE MEDICAL CENTER TO SERVE ITS REGION MOST EFFECTIVELY, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND EACH COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. THE MEDICAL CENTER HAS CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) TO UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH OF THE RESIDENTS WITHIN THE LOCAL REGION. THE ASSESSMENT FOCUSES ON THE MEDICAL CENTER'S NINE CORE COUNTIES WHERE UHS HAS FACILITIES OR PROVIDES SERVICES. OUR COMMITMENT IS ALSO TO OFFER SERVICES TO COUNTIES WITHOUT HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND PARTNERING WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO QUALITY AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES. ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPING THIS ASSESSMENT HAVE TAKEN PLACE DURING 2021-2022, INCLUDING STATE, REGIONAL, AND COUNTY-SPECIFIC SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION AND PRIMARY DATA OBTAINED THROUGH 406 SURVEYS WITH INDIVIDUALS FROM KNOX COUNTY, TN, AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. THROUGHOUT THE ASSESSMENT, HIGH PRIORITY WAS GIVEN TO DETERMINING EACH COMMUNITY'S HEALTH STATUS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES. UTMC EXAMINED LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND STATE DATA AND IDENTIFIED THAT IN 2021, TENNESSEE RANKED 41ST FOR OVERALL HEALTH OUTCOMES. TENNESSEE HAD HIGH RATES OF ADULT OBESITY, CANCER DEATHS, INFANT MORTALITY, AND DIABETES. KNOX COUNTY RANKED 6TH OUT OF 95 COUNTIES IN TENNESSEE FOR COMBINED HEALTH FACTORS, INCLUDING HEALTH BEHAVIORS, CLINICAL CARE, PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE COUNTY'S HEALTH. ADDITIONAL DATA SOURCES CONSULTED FOR THE CHNA WERE THE TENNESSEE HEALTH RANKINGS AND THE COMMUNITY NEEDS INDEX (CNI). ALSO, COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATION MEMBERS MEET WITH THE MEDICAL CENTER TO DISCUSS CURRENT HEALTH PRIORITIES AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE, PAIRED WITH REGIONAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL DATA, HELPS TO EVALUATE THE REGION'S HEALTH SITUATION IN ORDER TO BEGIN FORMULATING SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT. AFTER COMPILING THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF INFORMATION, FOUR TOP HEALTH PRIORITIES WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE CHNA: CANCER, SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH/DEPRESSION/ANXIETY, AND OBESITY.
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PART VI, LINE 3:
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TO COMMUNICATE THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL POLICY TO THE PATIENT, THE "UNDERSTANDING YOUR HOSPITAL BILL" BROCHURE IS MADE AVAILABLE AT ALL POINTS OF REGISTRATION (INTAKE AND PROCESS) AND FINANCIAL COUNSELORS ALONG WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ARE AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC CASES. THE BROCHURE INSTRUCTS THE PATIENT TO CONTACT THE FINANCIAL COUNSELOR OR PATIENT ACCOUNTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CHARITY AND OTHER APPLICABLE DISCOUNTS. FINANCIAL COUNSELORS VISIT PATIENT ROOMS WHEN POSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN THE UHS BILLING PROCESS, PAYMENT PLANS AND SCREENS FOR ASSISTANCE SUCH AS TENNCARE, VICTIM OF CRIME OR CHARITY WRITE-OFF. FINANCIAL COUNSELORS SCREEN ADMISSIONS FOR TRUE HARDSHIP CASES THAT SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR CHARITY AND CLEARLY STATE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO THE PATIENT. THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE POLICY (A PATIENT-FRIENDLY SUMMARY) AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTACT INFORMATION IS POSTED IN THE ADMISSIONS AREAS, EMERGENCY AREAS, AND OTHER AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FACILITIES IN WHICH ELIGIBLE PATIENTS MAY BE PRESENT, AS WELL AS ON OUR WEBSITE. POLICIES ARE ALSO POSTED IN SPANISH DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUMES OF SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS. THE MAJORITY OF STAFF ASSOCIATED WITH PATIENT CONTACT ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE CHARITY CARE POLICY.
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PART VI, LINE 4:
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THE UTMC'S SERVICE AREA IS COMPRISED OF 21 COUNTIES, INCLUDING SMALL AND MID-SIZED CITIES AND RURAL COUNTIES, REPRESENTING DIVERSE POPULATIONS WITH ADVERSE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS. THESE COUNTIES FACE DISTINCTIVE SOCIAL RISK FACTORS THAT VARY DEPENDING ON THEIR RURAL/URBAN DESIGNATION, RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP, INCOME, UNEMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION RATES, LIVING WAGES, AND MEDIAN INCOME. ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS DETERMINED BY A MYRIAD OF FACTORS, AMONG THEM ARE HEALTH INSURANCE AND ACCESS TO MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND FACILITIES IN THE REGION. THE RATE OF UNINSURED ADULTS IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE (15%) FOR 52% OF ALL COUNTIES, AND THE POPULATION RATIO TO PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE FOR ALL COUNTIES EXCEPT FOR KNOX. FOR INSTANCE, MORGAN COUNTY HAD ONE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN PER 7,130. ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH FACILITIES IS ALSO A CHALLENGE IN THE REGION. ACCORDING TO THE SYCAMORE INSTITUTE, "AS OF APRIL 2019, 20 TENNESSEE COUNTIES HAD NO HOSPITAL 17 OF WHICH ALSO HAD NO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT". THE UTMC CATCHMENT AREA HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE OF FOUR HOSPITALS, TWO OF THEM LOCATED IN KNOXVILLE AND TWO ADDITIONAL ONES IN RURAL AREASFENTRESS AND MCMINN COUNTIES. UTMC SERVES DIVERSE POPULATIONS WHOSE NEEDS VARY FROM COUNTY TO COUNTY, CONSIDERING VARIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS, PARTICULARLY INCOME AND EDUCATION, BOTH CRUCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH OUTCOMES. FOR INSTANCE, 17 OUT OF 21 COUNTIES IN THE SERVICE AREA HAVE A POVERTY RATE HIGHER THAN THE STATE'S (13.6%); HOWEVER, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO NOTE AREAS IN KNOXVILLE WITH POVERTY RATES AS HIGH AS 68%. ALTHOUGH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ARE LOW FOR MOST COUNTIES, THE LIVING WAGE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE STATE'S AVERAGE FOR 80% OF THE COUNTIES, AS IS THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME. STATISTICS RELATED TO HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION RATES ARE LOWER THAN THE STATE'S (88%) FOR 15 COUNTIES. HOWEVER, WHEN EXAMINING SUB-COUNTY DATA, KNOXVILLE INCLUDES SOME AREAS WITH HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION RATES AS LOW AS 65%. WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IN THE CATCHMENT AREAS IS PREDOMINANTLY NON-HISPANIC WHITE, SEVERAL COUNTIES ARE EXPERIENCING RAPID GROWTH IN THEIR HISPANIC/LATINO POPULATIONS: THAT'S THE CASE FOR HAMBLEN (12%), LOUDON (9%), AND SEVIER (7%) COUNTIES. THERE IS A GREATER CONCENTRATION OF BLACK COMMUNITIES IN ZIP CODES INCLUDED IN KNOX (56%), MORGAN (17%)*, AND BLOUNT (14%) COUNTIES. THE RURAL POPULATION IS ABOVE 50% FOR 16 OF 21 COUNTIES, WHILE FOUR OUT OF 21 COUNTIES ARE CONSIDERED 100% RURAL. THE REGION HAS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF INDIVIDUALS AGED 65 OR OLDER, WITH 20 COUNTIES HAVING A HIGHER RATE THAN THE STATE, REPRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT CAPACITY DEMAND FOR THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
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PART VI, LINE 5:
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UTMC CONDUCTS ONGOING INVENTORIES REGARDING THE HOSPITAL'S ASSETS TO MEET THE COMMUNITY'S ONGOING NEEDS. IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, UTMC ENGAGES OTHERS TO IDENTIFY ASSETS AND GAPS BY UTILIZING LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL DATA REPOSITORIES AND REPORTING AGENCIES. WE ALSO SURVEY OUR COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THE ASSETS AND THE GAPS IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. MAJOR INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE UNDERSERVED THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS; PREVENTING INJURIES AND TREATING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES; IMPROVING HEALTH ACCESS FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH; CANCER SCREENING SERVICES; EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASE PROCESSES AND MANAGEMENT; AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES.THROUGH THEBREAST HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAM (BHOP),UTMC PROVIDES FREE EDUCATION, PREVENTION, DIAGNOSTICS, AND TREATMENT FOR UNINSURED WOMEN. THE MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT (MMU) PROVIDES FREE AND LOW-COST SCREENINGS TO WOMEN IN OUR 21 COUNTY AREA.OPIOID/SUBSTANCE ABUSE:UTMC HAS PARTNERED WITH THE METRO DRUG COALITION AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY INNOVATIVE PROCESSES TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC. TO ASSIST WITH COMPLIANCE OF WITHDRAWAL FROM OPIOIDS, SEVERAL PHYSICIANS HAVE LED RESEARCH EFFORTS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN WITHDRAWING SAFELY FROM CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY. FROM PERINATAL WITHDRAWAL TO IMPLEMENTING PATHWAYS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ADMITTED WITH MEDICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH OPIOID MISUSE, UTMC IS PIONEERING RESEARCH EFFORTS IN THIS FIELD TO ASSIST IN COMBATING CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY FROM OPIOIDS.EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA SERVICES PREVENTION AND EDUCATION-"STOP THE BLEED"- A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON DECREASING MORTALITY RATES ASSOCIATED WITH HEMORRHAGE.EDUCATION FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT (ATLS), ADVANCED TRAUMA CERTIFIED NURSE (ATCN), TRAUMA NURSE CORE CURRICULUM (TNCC), FUNDAMENTALS OF CRITICAL CARE (FCCS), AND CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE (CEN) PREPARATION COURSEWOMEN'S AND INFANT'S OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR PRENATAL CARE, HIGH RISK OBSTETRICS, AND CARE OF THE PRE-TERM NEWBORN.KAPA PROJECT ACCESS-UT MEDICAL CENTER PARTNERS WITH KAPA TO PROVIDE FREE OR DISCOUNTED MEDICAL SERVICES AND TREATMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT INSURED OR MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED.VOLUNTEER MISSION SERVICE ACTIVITIESBLOOD DRIVES:UTMC PARTNERS WITH MEDIC REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEES TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY. UTMC IS THE REGION'S LARGEST CONSUMER OF BLOOD PRODUCTS DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SERVING AS THE ONLY LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER IN OUR REGION. IN 2022, THE HOSPITAL DONATED OVER 256 UNITS OF BLOOD.EMPTY STOCKING FUND: UTMC PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AS AN ORGANIZATION, UTMC PARTNERS WITH THE KNOXVILLE NEW SENTINEL TO PROVIDE FOOD AND TOYS TO DISADVANTAGED EAST TENNESSEANS DURING THE HOLIDAYS.COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS:TO REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AT FREE MEDICAL CENTER AMERICANOW THE KIM HEALTH CENTER FOR ITS AT-RISK PATIENT POPULATION, UT MEDICAL CENTER, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, AND UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS' ASSOCIATION HAVE COMMITTED GRANT FUNDING, TRAINEE PARTICIPATION, AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THE KIM HEALTH CENTER PARTNERS WITH KNOXVILLE AREA PROJECT ACCESS, KNOXVILLE OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC CENTER, AND LABCORP, AND WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES TRAINED TO ADDRESS SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. ADDITIONALLY, ON-SITE PREVENTIVE AND RESTORATIVE DENTAL SERVICES STARTED TO BE OFFERED IN 2022.ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTSUT MEDICAL CENTER HIRED ITS INAUGURAL COMMUNITY HEALTH EQUITY DIRECTOR IN JANUARY 2022; CREATED THE COMMUNITY HEALTH EQUITY ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND HIRED ITS FIRST COMMUNITY HEALTH EQUITY DATA ANALYST.UTMC INTENSIFIED ITS COLLABORATION WITH THE KNOXVILLE AREA URBAN LEAGUE (KAUL) TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE IN EAST KNOXVILLE. IT ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION AND THE WELL LONSDALE INITIATIVE.UTMC DEMONSTRATED SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS BY INCLUDING HEALTH EQUITY AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.
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PART VI, LINE 6:
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UHS IS CURRENTLY AFFILIATED WITH EAST TENNESSEE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN PROVIDING JOINT HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION OF OUR REGION. UHS PARTNERS WITH SEVERAL LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
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PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
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TN
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