Study: UIHC economic impact is $694 million to Johnson County

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics generates 14,743 jobs that add more than $694 million to Johnson County's economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association, UI officials said today.

In addition, UI Hospitals and Clinics employees spend more than $244.4 million on retail sales and contribute nearly $14.7 million in state sales tax revenue.

“This report shows what an incredible impact University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has on this area, both in terms of number of people employed as well as the financial contribution,” said Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs with UI Health Care.

The Iowa Hospital Association 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 70,484 people and create another 67,247 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $3.8 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, Iowa's health care sector, which includes employed clinicians, long-term care services and assisted living centers, pharmacies and other medical and health services, directly and indirectly provides 329,793 Iowa jobs, or one-fifth of the state's total employment.

- University of Iowa