A study conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change was published in the online edition of the Journal of Health Affairs earlier this week, which outlined how safety-net healthcare providers “are under constant pressure to keep a mission-driven purpose while also maintaining financial viability.”

Striving to remain profitable drove Harborview Medical Center (Seatlle, WA) are working to attract insured patients by builing, renovating and advertising speciality services.  In addition, Harborview Medical Center has taken steps to limit uninsured transfer patients from neighboring hospitals.

It’s strategic choices like these that the study’s authors say can threaten the hospital’s mission.

Click here to read an article in The Seattle Times: Do safety-net hospitals put money over mission?