Providence workers raise awareness of high hospital prices at Bridge Pedal

Health care workers and community supporters were on hand at the starting line of Providence Bridge Pedal August 10th to draw attention to high hospital rates and their impact on Oregonians.

"It was great to talk to the riders about how much profit Providence makes and how that impacts workers, patients and the community at large," said Dave Hildenbrand, a Providence Portland employee who participated in the action.

Volunteers handed out information about how Providence Health & Services made $655 million last year — almost $2 million per day — and circulated a petition regarding hospital profit legislation. Almost 2,000 riders agreed to wear the "patients not profits" stickers.

Hospital corporations and their record profits are the leading cause of soaring health care costs, surpassing even insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Oregon is one of the most expensive states in the nation in which to spend a day in the hospital, and Oregon hospitals earn higher than average profits.