Healthcare provides 325,000 jobs in Iowa

     UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center generates 193 jobs that add $11,589,442 to the Jones County economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). In addition, JRMC employees by themselves spend $2,148,366 on retail sales and contribute $128,902 in state sales tax revenue.

     “Jones Regional is the third largest employer in Jones County and we’re honored to serve our communities. Our economic impact is a testament to our patients’ belief that we’re the best to receive great care, close to home,” stated Eric Briesemeister, Jones Regional CEO.

     The IHA study examined the jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state’s healthcare 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 72,008 people and create another 55,492 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $4.5 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

     In all, Iowa’s healthcare sector, which includes offices of physicians, dentists and other health practitioners, nursing home and residential care, other medical and health services and pharmacies, contributes $16.6 billion to the state economy while directly and indirectly providing 324,977 jobs, or about one-fifth of the state’s total non-farm employment.

     “Through the many changes in healthcare, there is one certainty: That hospitals and healthcare are vital to Iowa’s economy,” said IHA President and CEO Kirk Norris. “With nearly 325,000 jobs, healthcare is one of Iowa’s largest employers and hospitals remain, by far, the biggest contributor to that number. In Iowa cities and counties, hospitals are uniformly among the largest employers.

     “As our political leaders in Washington, D.C. and Des Moines consider legislation and regulations that impact hospitals and healthcare, they need to keep these facts in mind. As providers of high-quality, low-cost healthcare, good jobs and economic stability, there is no replacement for community hospitals.”

     The IHA 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.