Lucas County Health Center (LCHC) generates 298 jobs that add$15,412,893 to Lucas County’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. In addition, LCHC employees by themselves spend $2,267,170 on retail sales and contribute $136,030 in state sales tax revenue.
“This report indicates that our hospital does more than provide healthcare services to our community,” says Jay Christensen, Interim CEO. “It shows that our employees and our organization are committed and dedicated to the success of the community.”
The IHA 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 76,169 people and create another 67,647 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $5.3 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $3.3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.
In all, Iowa’s 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 $19.6 billion to the state economy while directly and indirectly providing 344,495 jobs.
The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences. All of Iowa’s community hospitals are IHA members.