National Autism Advocacy Group Supports Legislation in Congress to Improve Transparency on Not-for-Profit Hospitals

Nonprofit Hospitals and Health Systems Abuse Their Tax-Exempt Status, Pricing Neurodivergent Individuals and Families Out of Essential Health Care Services

OCONOMOWOC, WISC. – The full United States House of Representatives is urged by Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA) to pass HR 9504, The Tax-Exempt Hospital Transparency Act.  HR 9504 was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee on July 1, 2026.  We endorse this vital legislation as part of AFAA’s ethics reform agenda for the following reasons:

• Neurodivergent individuals and their families in America frequently encounter obstacles when trying to access healthcare services, especially those delivered by hospitals or hospital-affiliated networks.

  • AFAA backs the congressional objective to mandate that non-profit hospitals provide more detailed disclosures on the IRS Form 990 to demonstrate their adherence to tax-exempt law.

• Healthcare systems are hindered from delivering vital care to those in genuine need due to a distinct lack of transparency regarding the amount of charity care hospitals provide.

  • AFAA endorses a provision  in HR 9504 that mandates deeper disclosures for nonprofit hospital associations operating with over 100 beds and exceeding $100 million in revenue.

• Charitable medical centers frequently direct resources to athletic partnerships and various other purposes that run counter to the core intent of maintaining tax-exempt status.

  • AFAA maintains that heightened transparency will drive integrity within nonprofit hospitals. With greater openness, these organizations can no longer hide whether their financial choices truly reflect their stated mission.

If Congress sets aside partisan divisions, it can pave the way for enhanced healthcare access and reduced costs. This allows neurodivergent individuals to access care from therapy to medication management. AFAA urges the U.S. House of Representatives to act swiftly and pass HR 9504 without delay. We ask all individuals who support HR 9504 to contact their Members of Congress and ask them to vote yes.