Jay Heflin

March 30, 2010, The Hill — Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) have formed an unusual alliance to ensure that tax-exempt hospitals treat patients without insurance.

Nonprofit hospitals receive tens of billions of dollars in tax benefits each year to offer medical assistance to patients who lack proper coverage. But some have curtailed this care to boost their bottom line.

Grassley told The Hill there is a coordinated effort between his and Rush’s offices to crack down on hospitals that fail to provide this service but still claim the lucrative tax breaks. Work on the issue is being done at the staff level, and specifics about how the lawmakers will work together has not yet been determined.