Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania releases report on hospitals’ economic impact

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) recently released a report on the economic impact of hospitals in Pennsylvania, which found they contribute $128.9 billion to the economy and support more than 650,000 jobs.

Pennsylvania hospitals, the report found, make up 12 percent of the state’s economy, provide one out of every 10 jobs and are a top employer in 53 of 67 Pennsylvania counties.

“Each and every one of Pennsylvania’s hospitals plays a unique and important role in the communities they serve,” HAP President and CEO Andy Carter said. “In addition to serving as major employers and key economic anchors, hospitals are delivering value that numbers simply cannot quantify. They are working to meet their communities’ most pressing needs, through addressing socioeconomic challenges, facilitating overdose prevention and opioid use disorder recovery programs, and coordinating emergency preparedness services.”

According to the study, hospitals spent $57.3 billion and contributed $71.6 billion in secondary spending. They provided $32.5 billion in wages, salaries, and benefits. Hospital across the state employ 289,226 people and 361,677 additional jobs are supported by hospitals.

“Health is far more than what happens in a hospital or doctor’s office; it is significantly affected by everything that happens in your neighborhood,” Jefferson Health President Bruce Meyer said. Jefferson Health created more than $6 billion in economic impact and provided more than 29,000 jobs in 2017, according to the report.