HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE RELEASES REPORT ON THE VITAL IMPACT OF THE NASSAU HEALTH CARE CORPORATION ON THE ECONOMY AND THE COMMUNITY

January 14, 2008

Contact: 
Shelley Lotenberg
(516) 572-6055
shelley@numc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

East Meadow, New York…..In releasing the results of a study produced by the Healthcare Association of New York (HANYS) on the economic impact of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC) stressed the importance of the NHCC on the economy and the local community : “The NHCC is critical to the economic viability of our community. Less often recognized is the health care system’s contribution to the local economy, including the people it employs, the impact of its spending, the effect of hospital employees’ spending and the taxes they pay.  NHCC is a major source of employment and purchaser of goods and services, as well as providing health care that allows people to be productive citizens.”

The Nassau Health Care Corporation is comprised of Nassau University Medical Center, A.Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility and six Community Health Centers The report, prepared with assistance from the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), highlights the significant role that Nassau’s safety net health care system plays within the local community.  The data for the report are based on Institutional Cost Report (ICR) data and an updated federal Bureau of Economic Analysis multiplier. It identifies and measures the direct involvement of NHCC on the local economy and demonstrates the “ripple” effect of the dollars the health care sector brings into the community and the jobs it helps create.  In addition, it illustrates the benefit the hospital provides for a safe, stable, and healthy community. Hospitals strengthen the infrastructures of local communities.  Communities rely on their local hospitals and health systems to provide high-quality health care; bring life into the world; care for the aged; ensure safety when an emergency or disaster strikes; educate people about the impact of lifestyles on their health and well-being; and provide comfort at the end of life. 

Mr. Gianelli added:  “The NHCC is proud to provide care to our community.  Our doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  Every year, we serve thousands of individuals and keep our community healthy, strong, and vibrant.  This record of service is and always will be our most valuable contribution to the community.”
             
Nassau Health Care Corporation is an Economic Anchor in Our Community     
In addition to enhancing the health and well-being of the communities we serve, NHCC contributes significantly
to the area’s economic health.  In 2006, NHCC had an estimated total annual economic impact of $843,789,000.

Nassau Health Care Corporation is a Major Employer
NHCC employs 3,400 people, with a total payroll of $273,965,000.  Hospital payroll expenditures serve as an important economic stimulus, creating and supporting jobs throughout the local and state economies.
Dollars earned by NHCC employees and spent on groceries, clothing, mortgage payments, rent, etc., generate approximately $580,285,000 in economic activity for the local economy.

Nassau Health Care Corporation Purchasing
NHCC spends about $114,133,000 per year on the goods and services it needs to provide health care—for example, medical supplies, electricity for its buildings, and food for patients.  Funds spent to buy goods and services flow from the hospital to vendors and businesses and then ripple throughout the economy. Dollars spent by NHCC generate approximately $241,745,000 for the local economy. 
Nassau Health Care Corporation Capital Spending
In 2006, NHCC spent $10,273,000 on buildings and equipment. Capital spending by NHCC generates approximately $21,759,000 for the local economy per year.

The Impact of Nassau Health Care Corporation on State and Local Tax Collections
The employees of NHCC and the jobs supported indirectly by the facility paid $17,250,000 in state and local income taxes in 2004.
Furthermore, the employees of NHCC and the jobs supported indirectly by the facility paid $8,886,000 in local sales tax and $8,364,000 in state sales tax.
Nassau Health Care Corporation Provides Other Important Economic Benefits
Medical and Nursing Education; Construction; Research; Grants; Visitors
Nassau Health Care Corporation Cares for Our Community
NHCC provides vital health care services to our community.  In 2007, there were 22,982 discharges; 284,000 outpatient visits and procedures, and 72,000 emergency room visits.

“Hospitals are critical to New York’s quality of life and to keeping communities healthy and vibrant.  Nassau University Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility and our Community Health Centers are a major contributor to both the local and state economies and to keeping families healthy and secure by providing needed health care services. The data contained in this report provide strong evidence that the economic benefit of our health care system on the local and state economies is significant.  To continue to attract jobs to and maintain families in New York State, it is critical that the state have high-quality health care providers and services,” concluded Mr. Gianelli.