HCHC adds $22.4 million to local economy

Henry County Health Center generates 555 jobs that add $22.4 million 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 $4.6 million on retail sales and contribute $276,905 in state sales tax revenue.

'Henry County Health Center contributes to the strength of our county's economy in several ways. One way HCHC makes a direct positive impact is with the number of area residents we employ and their salaries and benefits. In addition, the health center and our workforce purchase goods and services from local businesses which directly supports the local economy. It is beneficial when individuals from other communities travel to HCHC to receive health services as those individuals often purchase from local businesses while in town,” said HCHC CEO Robb Gardner. 'Having a strong health center plays an instrumental role in attracting new business, industry and residents to our area. Providing high quality health services throughout Henry County serves the health needs of our communities and keeps our economy moving forward.”

The 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 report found that Iowa hospitals directly employed 76,169 people and created another 67,647 jobs outside the hospital sector in 2020. As an income source, hospitals provided more than $5 billion in salaries and benefits and generated another $3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, Iowa's 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, contributed $20 billion to the state economy and directly and indirectly provided 344,495 jobs, or 22 percent of the state's total non-farm employment.