The $14 billion scam: How ‘charity’ hospitals hoard wealth while gouging patients

Published September 1, 2026 9:00am ET



For too long, Washington has talked about the high cost of healthcare while tiptoeing around one of its biggest drivers: hospital prices. That is finally beginning to change, however, as both Congress and the Trump administration have been taking serious steps to bring transparency and accountability to America’s hospital industry, especially the nonprofit hospitals that receive enormous public subsidies since they are legally classified as charities.

Hospitals do extraordinary work every day, to be sure. Admiration for the lifesaving work of medical professionals, however, does not mean turning a blind eye to the business practices of large hospital systems when they hurt the very patients they exist to serve.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.