May 10-16 is National Hospital Week

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon generates 193 jobs that add $10,699,598 to the Allamakee and northern Clayton county economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA).  In addition, Veterans Memorial Hospital employees by themselves spend $1,905,146 on retail sales and contribute $114,309 in state sales tax revenue.

“We take seriously our responsibility of being a part of the local economy,” states Mike Myers, Chief Executive Officer of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “Our decision making process is centered around remaining viable while continuing to provide quality care close to home.”

The Iowa Hospital Association 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 71,348 people and create another 44,935 jobs outside the hospital sector.  As an income source, hospitals provide $4.3 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $1.8 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, the Iowa 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 $15.5 billion to Iowa’s economy while directly and indirectly providing 312,821 jobs, or about one-fifth of the state’s total non-farm employment.

“With more than 300,000 jobs, health care is one of Iowa’s largest employers, and hospitals are by far the biggest contributor to that number,” said Kirk Norris, IHA president/CEO.  “That impact carries through to local communities, where hospitals are often among the largest employers in Iowa cities and counties.”