Hospitals Are a Major Driver of the Indiana Economy

January 24, 2013

Hospitals in Indiana employ 126,860 people and create more than $33 billion in state economic activity. Nationally hospitals employ 5.5 million people and create $2 trillion in economic activity. The economic contribution of hospitals, highlighted in a new report released today by the American Hospital Association (AHA), is critical to communities.

“This report shows how important hospitals are to the local, state and national economy and Indiana is among the leaders in terms of economic impact,” said Doug Leonard, president, Indiana Hospital Association. “In many Indiana communities hospitals are the largest employer providing good paying, quality jobs.”

Hospitals are an economic mainstay, providing jobs and economic activity in both rural and urban areas in Indiana and across the country. Additionally, hospitals:

• Employ 126,860 individuals and support an additional 261,484 jobs elsewhere in the Indiana economy with their spending on goods and services through "ripple effects"
• Hospitals in Indiana spend nearly $8 billion on employee wages and benefits
• Spend over $16 billion on goods and services from other businesses in Indiana
• Provide stability and growth during times of recession.
• Rank as the second largest source of private sector jobs nationally
• Hospitals are essential to a community's ability to attract economic development projects