HCHC creates $22.4 million impact on local economy

Henry County Health Center generates 428 jobs that add $22,454,962 to Henry County's economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. In addition, Henry County Health Center associates by themselves spend $5,462,368 on retail sales and contribute $327,742 in state sales tax revenue.

'Henry County Health Center is pleased to provide high quality health care services to our area communities. By serving the health needs of our population, we positively impact Henry County's economy. Along with employing a significant number of area residents, the health center and our associates purchase goods and services from local businesses which directly supports our economy,” explained HCHC CEO Robb Gardner. 'Additionally, the health care services HCHC provides attract individuals from other communities who often purchase from local businesses while in town. A strong health center is also important when recruiting business, industry and new families to our area. All of these things help move our local economy forward in a positive direction.”

The IHA study examined the jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state's health care sector. The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association's Annual Survey of Hospitals and with software that other industries have used to determine their economic impact.

The study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 76,203 people and create another 64,453 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $5 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.7 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, the health care sector, which includes offices of physicians, dentists and other health practitioners, nursing home and residential care, other medical and health services and pharmacies, contributes $18 billion to Iowa's economy while directly and indirectly providing 342,914 jobs, or about one-fifth of the state's total non-farm employment.

'Hospitals positively influence their local economies not only with how many people they employ and the salaries of those employees, but also through hospital purchases from local businesses as well as the impact of employee spending and tax support,” said Kirk Norris, IHA president/CEO. 'Whether at the local level or statewide, there are few Iowa employers that generate economic activity comparable to hospitals.”

The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences. All of Iowa's 118 community hospitals are IHA members.