Editing Temple Health (section)

== Safety-Net Mission ==

Temple's role as a safety-net hospital distinguishes it from competitors pursuing commercially insured patients. The hospital accepts all patients regardless of insurance status, providing care to Medicaid recipients, uninsured individuals, and others who face barriers to care elsewhere. This mission generates substantial uncompensated care costs while fulfilling social obligations that other institutions avoid.<ref name="temple"/>

Financial challenges resulting from the payer mix have required ongoing attention. State and federal subsidies for safety-net hospitals, Medicaid supplemental payments, and operational efficiencies help offset losses from treating underinsured patients. The balance between mission and financial sustainability presents persistent strategic challenges that differ from those facing systems with more favorable payer mixes.<ref name="temple"/>