Hospitals add $6.2 billion to Iowa economy

Iowa hospitals generate more than 121,000 jobs that add nearly $6.2 billion to the state's economy, according to a new report from the Iowa Hospital Association. Iowa hospitals directly employ 71,324 people and create another 50,131 jobs outside the hospital sector, the study found. “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 IHA President and CEO Kirk Norris. “Whether at the local level or statewide, there are few Iowa employers that generate economic activity comparable to hospitals.”