Tax Credit for Contributions to Kunsberg School Becomes Law

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law a bill that grants a state tax credit for contributions to hospital-based facility schools such as the Kunsberg School for chronically ill children at National Jewish Health.  Bill sponsors, Representative Dan Pabon and Senator Pat Steadman attended, as did National Jewish Health Board Chair Richard Schierburg, and President and CEO Michael Salem, MD. National Jewish Health initiated efforts to draft and pass the bill during the 2012 legislative session.

“The child care contribution tax credit will enable National Jewish Health to continue serving Colorado’s children with the most complex medical needs, without charging tuition for the wide array of education opportunities offered at the school,” said Dr. Salem.

Kunsberg School is a kindergarten through eighth grade day school on the National Jewish Health main campus in Denver serving children whose chronic medical conditions, such as severe asthma, sickle cell anemia and diabetes, make it impossible to thrive in a traditional school setting. School staff address both the medical and education needs of this vulnerable population, and the vast majority go on to succeed in high school and beyond.

Kunsberg charges no tuition to students, almost all of whom are eligible for free and reduced price lunches. The state Department of Education provides about $600,000 per year for Kunsberg. National Jewish Health spends about $1.6 million per year supporting the school.

Colorado has granted tax credits for contributions to promote child care in Colorado for several years. The new law adds non-profit hospital-based facility schools  to the list of eligible institutions beginning in 2013.