Chris Ronayne Calls for Community Health Equity Fund to Address Health Disparities in Cuyahoga County

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August 11, 2022 (Cuyahoga County, OH) – On Friday, August 12, University Hospitals will close inpatient services at University Hospitals Richmond Heights and Bedford Medical Centers, a move that will diminish healthcare access for tens of thousands of Cuyahoga County residents and will severely impact the budgets of those communities.

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“In Cuyahoga County we are lucky to have some of the greatest healthcare institutions in the world that power our economy and support our region,” said Chris Ronayne, Candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive. “But we are also home to incredible health disparities, most often felt in historically redlined communities. The most recent community hospital closures continue an all too familiar trend that has increased these disparities and disproportionately affected the county’s most vulnerable residents.”

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University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic own a combined $3.2 billion in tax-exempt property countywide as of 2018 according to Ideastream Public Media. If that property were taxed, it would contribute about $112 million annually to support schools, parks, health and human services and local government.

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In order to improve health equity for Cuyahoga County residents, Ronayne is proposing a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) proposal to fund a new Community Health Equity Fund (CHEF). PILOT programs are common across the U.S., including communities like Boston, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh & Allegheny County. The proposal asks private nonprofit entities that own more than $750 million in property in Cuyahoga County to contribute to the fund at 35% of their property’s value, which would generate up to $39 million each year.

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“Our hospital systems are incredible assets,” said Ronayne. “But the nonprofit property tax exemption no longer works as it did when it was created generations ago. In cooperation with University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic, I know we can build a fair, equitable system that protects healthcare access for Cuyahoga County residents.”

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In Ronayne’s proposal, the Community Health Equity Fund will be managed by a Board made up of representatives from Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland, other county municipalities, public health experts, and hospital representatives. Funds will be used to address disparities across the county and to support cities that are home to these hospital facilities. The Community Health Equity Fund will support healthcare access and transportation, wellness programs, and mental and physical health services.

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“Now is the time for everyone to come to the table to discuss a fair contribution to our communities and the best way to improve the health of our residents,” said Ronayne. “I look forward to working with officials from University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic, our mayors and others to get this done together.”