The New Jersey Hospital Association has released its annual economic impact report, highlighting the impact of health care, which is now the largest employer in the country.
New Jersey hospitals had a $23.6 billion impact, in addition to being responsible for 150,000 jobs in 2018. Both numbers signify a significant increase from the previous year. In 2017, hospitals had a $23.4 billion impact and jobs were 144,000.
“Health care is a critical part of New Jersey’s economic infrastructure,” said NJHA CEO and President Cathy Bennett. “The $23.6 billion that hospitals and health systems contribute to the state economy ripples throughout all communities via jobs, income taxes paid by employees and goods and services purchased from other businesses. And, most importantly, our hospitals are open to their communities 24/7/365 to provide the care we need.”
Other key findings in the annual report include:
- $3.5 billion in services purchased from other businesses;
- More than $9 billion in total employee salaries;
- More than $500 million in state income taxes paid by hospital employees;
- More than $565 million in charity care services to New Jersey’s working poor and other uninsured residents.
The full report is at www.njha.com/economic-impact/2018/.
