Scripps in the Community

Making San Diego healthier for everyone

Scripps touches countless lives in San Diego as a not-for-profit (tax-exempt) health care system and community resource for all. Our multifaceted approach to expanding community benefits throughout the region ensures the people of San Diego have access to essential health care services that improve their individual quality of life and the community as a whole.

2025 Community Benefit Plan and Report​
2022 Community Health Needs Assessment​

Above are key reports, along with the 2025 Executive Summary (PDF, 1 MB), that show how Scripps is investing, serving and contributing to our respective San Diego communities. The reports comprise important information on how Scripps is investing in these communities and the organization’s community benefit services and contributions. They comprise our annual response to Senate Bill 697, a 1994 California state law that requires private, not-for-profit hospitals to annually document the full range of community benefits and to address the identified community needs. Similarly, in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the ACA), the Internal Revenue Service requires (IRS) hospitals to conduct and make publicly available a triennial Community Health Needs Assessment and corresponding Implementation Strategy.


Scripps takes these legislative requirements a step further by incorporating community benefit activities throughout the entire hospital system, including Scripps’ five acute-care hospital campuses, wellness centers and clinics. This information also details programs and services that provide benefit to the community over and above standard practices of care.

Fulfilling the Scripps mission

It’s our goal, responsibility and mission to provide care to all who come to Scripps for help — and to reach out to those who are vulnerable or underprivileged. It’s this unwavering commitment to community that defines the Scripps legacy. It’s how we began. It’s who we are today. And it’s our promise — to our community, our patients and ourselves.

Serving our community

Our programs reflect our commitments to improving the health of both our patients and the diverse communities of San Diego. As a longstanding member of these communities and as a not-for-profit community resource, our goal and responsibility are to assist all who seek care, particularly those who are vulnerable and lack support. This responsibility is an intrinsic part of our mission. Through our continued actions and community partnerships, we strive to enhance the quality of life across the entire community. View slide show for more information on our community benefit services. 

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Community health improvement services.

These include prevention and wellness programs, such as screenings, health education, support groups and health fairs, which are supported by operational funds, grants, in-kind donations and philanthropy.

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Professional education and health research

These are programs and services developed to train a new generation of health care providers. Includes professional education of employees, including graduate medical education (GME), nursing resource development, and clinical and educational experiences for students through preceptorships.  

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Professional education and health research (cont.)

Research creates generalized knowledge that benefits the public. This includes studies, investigations and publishing findings. 

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Uncompensated health care

Uncompensated health care includes the sum of expenses associated with patient charity care, bad debt and under-reimbursed care (ex. Medi-Cal and Medicare shortfall). Scripps contributed $587 million in fiscal year 2024 for low and no-cost health services that go to populations in need. 

Supporting those in financial need

Scripps' financial assistance policy assists low-income, uninsured patients with discounted hospital charges, charity care, and flexible billing and debt collection practices. These programs are consistent with state and federal legislation and are available to everyone in need regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion or national origin. Learn how to get help paying your bill.

Quick links to Scripps community benefits info

Quickly find more information about the Scripps community benefits program and its positive impact on San Diego:


Prior year reports


Note: Current reports can be found via the links at the top of the page and within the Read the reports section.