Meriter Contributes to a Healthy Economy

At a press conference hosted at Meriter Hospital, Jim Woodward, Meriter President and CEO, announced the release of a new UW-Extension study showing the healthy impact hospitals have on the state’s economy.

“Hospitals are an important economic driver in many of our communities,” says Professor Andrew Lewis, community development specialist with the Center for Community and Economic Development at UW-Extension. The study shows that Wisconsin’s 145 hospitals generate more than $22 billion annually in economic activity, and employ more than 100,000 people.

In addition to the workforce that is directly employed by hospitals, the study calculated the economic multipliers and estimated that hospitals indirectly account for nearly 90,000additional jobs in the state because they purchase goods, services and “bricks and mortar” from other businesses in their communities.

According to the report, the 3,249 jobs at Meriter Health Services generates employment for another 2,500 people. And Meriter’s $150 million payroll has a ripple effect of almost $243 million in the community.

“While we are very aware of the impact that Meriter has on the health of the community, we don’t often think about the stability and stimulus we provide to its financial well-being,” says Woodward. “We bring a lot to the community as both an employer and a business generator.”

For more information, read "Meriter Health Services' Impact on the Community".

“Healthy Hospitals. Healthy Communities. The Economic Impact of Wisconsin Hospitals.”

3/26/2009