About the Conference

Conference Mission

The Hospital Accountability and Tax Exemption Conference convenes leading experts in public health, health policy, economics, and law to examine a critical question in American healthcare: are nonprofit hospitals fulfilling the public obligations that justify their tax-exempt status?

Through rigorous evidence, cross-sector dialogue, and policy-focused sessions, this conference aims to advance accountability, inform legislative and regulatory action, and strengthen the relationship between nonprofit hospitals and the communities they serve.

Background

Nonprofit hospitals in the United States receive an estimated $28 billion annually in federal, state, and local tax exemptions. In exchange, they are expected to provide meaningful community benefits — yet evidence increasingly shows that many hospitals provide community benefit spending that falls short of the value of their exemptions. This conference brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to examine what accountability should look like, and what reforms may be needed.

Conference Details

Dates: July 16–17, 2026

Venue: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001

Hosted by: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

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