For-profit hospitals have a unique opportunity to serve as anchor institutions in the U.S

Hospitals serve as anchor institutions in many U.S. communities and make contributions to bolster population health reduce preventable death. Most studies date have focused on nonprofit hospitals, but there may be significant opportunity for for-profits fill this role both urban rural communities. Using 2017–2018 data, we calculated descriptive statistics a multivariate regression model assess economic characteristics all counties that contain for-profit compared or public hospitals (n = 4,622). After controlling hospital county characteristics, found positive relationship between presence higher unemployment, uninsured rates, the number of residents reporting poor/fair health. For-profit were also less likely located states had expanded Medicaid which certificate-of-need laws. Our findings suggest is substantial communities, despite label more traditionally being applied hospitals. Given not currently regular mechanism documenting community policymakers researchers should evaluate current state these develop incentives encourage activities benefit economically vulnerable