Axios Columbus
May 12, 2025
1 big thing: 🏥 Do hospitals pay their "fair share?"
Central Ohio's eight hospitals spent millions in our community from 2020-22 — but just one spent more than it received in tax breaks, according to data the nonprofit Lown Institute shared with Axios.
Why it matters: Ohio's nonprofit hospitals receive a collective $2.2 billion in tax breaks each year.
- Hospitals are exempt from paying a variety of taxes due to their nonprofit status and the presumption that they give back, but the institute's latest report contends the two amounts typically aren't comparable.
Zoom in: Two local hospitals — Nationwide Children's and OhioHealth's Riverside Methodist — rank among the worst in Ohio when their spending is compared with tax breaks.
By the numbers: Children's has the second-largest "fair share deficit" statewide at $121 million, with nearly $168.8 million in breaks compared to $47.8 million in investments.
- It's also the largest deficit among all children's hospitals in the 20 states included in the report.
- Meanwhile, Riverside's $57.1 million deficit ranks fourth-largest in Ohio, with $89.7 million in breaks compared to $32.6 million in investments.
Only Doctor's Hospital, also part of OhioHealth, had a surplus locally — spending $862,000 more than its $12.8 million in tax breaks.
Yes, but: Hospitals disagree with the institute's methodology.
How it works: Lown's community investment calculation includes free or discounted care; community health improvement services like free immunizations; subsidized services like free health clinics; and contributions to community groups and activities that drive community health, like affordable housing and environmental initiatives.
The other side: The local hospitals' representatives tell Axios that calculation is flawed, because IRS guidelines also consider other things when calculating community value, like research expenditures, physician training and absorbed Medicaid and Medicare shortfalls.
- The American Hospital Association called the report "arbitrary" and "anything but 'fair.'"
- It commissioned a 2022 study that concluded "every dollar invested in nonprofit hospitals results in $9 in benefits delivered back to the community."
What they're saying: "The report does not capture the entirety of the community benefit provided by Nationwide Children's," the hospital tells Axios in a statement.
2. ⛪ What's in a (pope) name
Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native, became the first American pope last week.
Between the lines: His papal name is Leo XIV — and Leo is very on trend, at least in the U.S.
- Leo was relatively popular in the early 1900s but plunged throughout the century.
- Since 1995, it's been growing in popularity, and reached No. 18 on the top male names in 2023.
The big picture: Trends aside, the new pope is said to have chosen his name as a nod to Pope Leo XIII, elected in 1878, who was committed to the social teaching of the church.
3. Nutshells: A student news roundup
/2025/05/09/1746810018415.gif?w=3840)
4. 🍝 Columbites: Metsi's joins a crowded scene
Our dining scene is getting another upscale Italian option — can it separate itself from the pack?
Dining the news: Last week, chef BJ Lieberman gave Columbus a sneak peek of his new concept, Metsi's, a "wood-fired Italian" restaurant in the Short North.
- Lieberman is a James Beard nominee and one of our most visible chefs, helming Chapman's Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit.
The intrigue: He also opened Hiraeth, a short-lived fine dining concept at 36 E. Lincoln St. centered around its wood-fired oven.
- A year after Hiraeth closed, Metsi's is taking over the space.
Yes, but: Chapman's hosted the preview, so we can't report yet on the Metsi's vibes.
What I ate: A six-course prix fixe menu ($75).
- The meal started with sourdough focaccia with a whipped ricotta dip and a Caesar salad.
- For mains, guests shared two "dueling pastas" — cacio e pepe and amatriciana — and individually portioned osso bucco with polenta.
- For dessert: tiramisu.
Best bites: Everything was tasty, but at this price point, I was slightly disappointed to be more excited by the starters than the pastas at an Italian restaurant.
- The osso bucco, however, was fantastic and probably my highlight.
- And they made a killer tiramisu.
The big picture: Metsi's joins a crowded Central Ohio Italian scene.
- Columbus loves classics like Martini, Moretti's, Marcella's and Basi, as well as newer options like Speck, Cento and Pelino's.
💭 My thought bubble: During its short life, Hiraeth was easily my favorite Columbus restaurant.
- This meal didn't quite reach that level of special.
- I hope the full Metsi's experience can capture some of that same charm.
📆 What's next: Metsi's aims to open in June.
Invest in Local Journalism
Axios Columbus
