Rapides Healthcare System serves 12 Central Louisiana parishes, all designated as Medically Underserved Areas. Eight of the parishes are designated as having a shortage of primary healthcare professionals. Organizational documents require that RHS meet the community benefit standard established by the Internal Revenue Service even though it is a taxable organization. RHS is 74 percent owned by HCA and 26 percent owned by The Rapides Foundation. Despite these ownership percentages, RHS is administered by a Governing Board made up of Foundation appointees, HCA appointees and Medical Staff appointees. The Rapides Foundation maintains a 50 percent vote on major reserved powers. Foundation Trustees and staff analyze, assert and monitor community benefit opportunities and outcomes at RHS.