Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation

Kossuth Regional Health Center has developed into one of the premier rural health care facilities in the state because of the strength of spirit, dedication and generosity of many. The health care campus we know today is the result of hundreds of volunteer hours and literally millions of dollars donated. It all began with the vision of Dr. Melvin Bourne and a group of citizens committed to building a hospital. Their dream was realized in October 1947 when St. Ann's Hospital opened its doors under the leadership of the Sisters of Mercy.

In the summer of 1978 another group of citizens realized that the only way to recruit a physician to Kossuth County was to build a clinic. The Kossuth Medical Center Foundation raised over $125,000 to secure FHA financing to begin construction.

Volunteer community leaders stepped forward once again to assist the Board of Trustees when, in the mid-late 1980's the planning began to build the outpatient addition. The Kossuth County Hospital Foundation was formed in 1988 and has raised over $1.2 million from the residents and corporate citizens of Kossuth County. The Kossuth Medical Center Foundation dissolved and transferred the balance of their funds to the Kossuth County Hospital Foundation in 1997 to create an Endowment Fund.

In December of 1985, the Board of Trustees entered into a management agreement with
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa. The board and Mercy formed a physician- hospital organization in 1997 and created what we know today as Kossuth Regional Health Center.

WHY RAISE PRIVATE FUNDS?
To serve the residents of Kossuth County, Kossuth Regional Health Center must be financially stable. Kossuth Regional Health Center receives minimal tax support. Declining reimbursements from Medicare, an aging population and the spiraling costs of medical technology have placed a disproportionate burden on health care facilities our size.
In many cases, Medicare and other payers do not meet the actual cost of providing care to patients. In order to remain viable, it is critical that Kossuth Regional Health Center develops an additional source of funding to cover those shortfalls.

THE CORNERSTONE OF A HEALTHY FUTURE...
The Endowment Fund is the cornerstone of the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation. The Endowment Fund was established to provide ongoing support of the hospital. Only the interest income generated from the principal of the Endowment Fund is available to support the hospital and it is conservatively invested to produce long-term growth. The Foundation Endowment has been substantially increased with bequests from Gladys Mahana, Veda McArthur and Ellen G. Holmgren.

The goal of the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation is to grow the Endowment to the point where the income it generates for the hospital can fund not only the capital spending budget but also for the future needs of this community.

As critical as the Foundation's support was to the facility improvement projects, without a growing Endowment Fund the future of this medical community lies in peril. The income generated by a healthy Endowment can help insulate Kossuth Regional Health Center against some of the pressures placed on it by declining reimbursements from payers such as Medicare as well as continually increasing costs resulting from greater regulatory burdens as well as rising costs of health care supplies and equipment.

THE LEGACY SOCIETY
You are invited to become a member of The Legacy Society, by making a gift to the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation that will benefit generations to come.

You can make your philanthropy last a lifetime and beyond with your planned gift from your estate. After you have planned for your loved ones, those important to you and your other favorite charities, a planned gift to the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation will help untold numbers of patients and family members who look to Kossuth Regional Health Center for excellence in health care.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A "PLANNED GIFT?"
It is a gift from your estate. It could be a gift in your will called a bequest, a charitable gift annuity, a paid-up life insurance policy, a charitable trust, a personal residence or farm or other personal property including appreciated stocks, an over-funded retirement fund or IRA. Depending upon the type of gift, the donor would benefit from charitable tax deductions, possible estate tax savings, and may even draw income from the gift during their lifetime.

IS MAKING A "PLANNED GIFT" A COMPLICATED THING?
Not necessarily, but you should always consult your personal financial advisor - your attorney, tax advisor, accountant or trust officer. You want to maximize the benefits of the charitable gift planning and conform to all state and federal laws.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON "PLANNED GIFT?"
The most common "planned gift" is a bequest from your will. This is also the simplest type of gift to implement with no cash or asset given during your lifetime. There are several ways to make a bequest. This can be done as a percentage of your estate, the remainder of your estate after everyone else has been taken care of or you may set a specific bequest amount or asset. You may also designate or restrict it to support a specific program. All unrestricted gifts and bequests received by the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation are designated to the Endowment Fund.

If you already have your will prepared, you may add a "codicil" to your will, stating your additional charitable intent.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THE LEGACY SOCIETY?
It's easy. Make a planned gift, with documentation demonstrating your intention, and you will become a permanent member of The Legacy Society. If you so choose, your name will be added to the Wall of Honor in the lobby of Kossuth Regional Health Center and you will receive an invitation to a special recognition event to honor Legacy Society Donors each year.

You may complete the Information Request form and mail it to the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation office or call us at 515.295.2451, ext. 281 and our Executive Director will discuss how to participate.

We are a Leave a Legacy partner...