Northwest Oregon hospitals generate $605 million in economic activity, help create 3,200 jobs in the region
Contact: Sarah Bello
(ASTORIA, Ore.) — Today, Columbia Memorial Hospital announces findings from a new economic impact study which found that hospitals in Northwest Oregon generate $605 million in economic activity in Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook counties and help create nearly 3,200 jobs in the region.
Commissioned by the Hospital Association of Oregon, the report highlights the vital role hospitals play in the regional economy and reinforces the need for their financial stability to protect patient care and access to health services.
“Columbia Memorial Hospital, located in Clatsop County, employs nearly 1,000 employees making it the county’s largest employer. The majority of these employees live in and support the local community and economy,” says Erik Thorsen, CMH CEO. “In addition, CMH provides significant financial support to numerous community organizations, youth athletic programs, and the local community college nursing program, as well as providing scholarships to local high school students and financial support for local childcare programs.”
The report notes that Oregon’s community hospitals employ 1,610 workers in Northwest Oregon, with a payroll topping $185.9 million. Additionally, through purchasing goods and services, hospitals help create a total of 3,200 jobs in the area with a payroll of $260.2 million.
“Oregon’s community hospitals are more than just places we turn to when we are sick or injured—they are pillars of our community,” said Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon. “In every area of our state, the local hospital is a foundational employer, offering jobs at every educational level and helping spur growth in the local economy.”
Statewide, Oregon’s community hospitals generate $32.4 billion in economic activity and help create 160,000 jobs. Hospitals directly employ nearly 70,000 people in positions ranging from nurses and doctors to respiratory therapists, environmental services, medical assistants, support staff, and more.
This report underscores the important role that hospitals play in Oregon communities, and it comes at a time when many hospitals are struggling. The latest data shows that more than half of Oregon’s community hospitals are consistently not able to cover the costs of providing care.
“We can’t have a strong Oregon without strong community hospitals,” said Hultberg. “It is important that we recognize the tremendous contributions they make in every corner of our state and take action to support community hospitals so they can continue to offer the services we all depend on.”
About the Hospital Association of Oregon
Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon (HAO) is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 hospitals. Together, hospitals are the sixth largest private employer statewide, employing nearly 70,000 employees. Committed to fostering a stronger, safer, more equitable Oregon where all people have access to the high-quality care they need, the hospital association supports Oregon’s hospitals so they can support their communities; educates government officials and the public on the state’s health landscape, and works collaboratively with policymakers, community based organizations and the health care community to build consensus on and advance health care policy benefiting the state’s four million residents.