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Scripps in the Community

Making San Diego healthier for everyone

Scripps touches countless lives in San Diego as a not-for-profit 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.

2020 Community Benefit Plan and Report​
2019 Community Health Needs Assessment​

Above are key reports, along with the 2020 Executive Summary (PDF, 3.6 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, nonprofit hospitals to document the full range of community benefits provided on a yearly basis.


Scripps takes this legislative requirement 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

Scripps divides community benefit services into three main categories: community health improvement services, professional education and health research, and uncompensated care. View the slideshow below for more information on these three categories.

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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 and inspire a new generation of health care providers or offer continuing education to existing health care professionals. In addition, Scripps provides graduate medical education programs, nursing resource development and other health care professional education.

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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. Scripps contributed $358 million in fiscal year 2018 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 more about financial assistance.

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.