UnityPoint Health – Sioux City generates 2,890 jobs that add over $138.1 million to Siouxland’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. In addition, UnityPoint Health employees by themselves spend $58.7 million on retail sales and contribute over $3.5 million in state sales tax revenue.
“St. Luke’s is honored to have served the community for 132 years,” said Lynn Wold, President and CEO of UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s. “We are privileged to work in an industry that not only has the opportunity to improve the health of the community but also make a major economic impact. Our mission is not only to provide the best outcome for every patient every time but also to improve life for those in Siouxland.”
The IHA 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 71,348 people and create another 44,935 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $4.3 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $1.8 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.
In all, the Iowa health care sector, which includes offices of physicians, dentists and other health practitioners, nursing home and residential care, other medical and health services and pharmacies, contributes $15.5 billion to Iowa’s economy while directly and indirectly providing 312,821 jobs, or about one-fifth of the state’s total non-farm employment.
“With more than 300,000 jobs, health care is one of Iowa’s largest employers, and hospitals are by far the biggest contributor to that number,” said Kirk Norris, IHA president/CEO. “That impact carries through to local communities, where hospitals are often among the largest employers in Iowa cities and counties.”