Which description best matches not-for-profit healthcare organizations?

• A. Provide services to low income and indigent patients
• B. Maximize shareholder wealth
• C. Operate primarily to distribute profits
• D. Provide services to paid services only

Answer: (A)

Not-for-profit health care organizations are driven by a mission to serve the community rather than generate profits for owners. Any surplus funds are reinvested into patient care, facilities, and community programs rather than distributed to shareholders.

Providing services to low income and indigent patients best reflects that mission, since not-for-profit groups place emphasis on helping those who cannot afford care and expanding access for underserved populations.

The other descriptions clash with this mission: maximizing shareholder wealth describes for-profit entities; operating primarily to distribute profits contradicts the not-for-profit principle of reinvesting earnings; and providing services to paid services only ignores the commitment to care regardless of ability to pay.