Hospitals pumped $6.7 billion into R.I. economy in 2011

RHODE ISLAND'S HOSPITALS contributed $6.7 billion to the state's economy in 2011, according to a report by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
RHODE ISLAND'S HOSPITALS contributed $6.7 billion to the state's economy in 2011, according to a report by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL

CRANSTON – Hospitals in Rhode Island are major engine of the state’s economy, with $6.7 billion in economic contributions in 2011, according to the annual economic impact report released today by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

The HARI report detailed the 2011 economic contributions of Rhode Island hospitals. They included:

  • Paying $1.9 billion in wages
  • Employing 21,000 health care professionals
  • Spending more than $1.3 billion on good and services
  • Dedicating $122 million to improving facilities and upgrading technology

In addition, hospitals captured $224.9 million in research dollars.

“Hospitals are a key ingredient to Rhode Island’s quality of life. They are a major contributor to the state economy and to keeping families healthy and secure by providing needed health services,” Edward J. Quinlan, president of HARI, said in a statement. “The financial health of hospitals is directly tied to the strength of our state overall. Hospitals must be financially strong to continue investing in our state’s economy and make the necessary improvements to provide top-notch care to Rhode Islanders.”

- Advertisement -

In 2012, HARI reported that Rhode Island hospitals had 451,701 emergency room visits, 118,522 discharges, 89,876 ambulatory surgeries, 31, 624 inpatient surgeries, and 11,347 births.

In addition, about 52 cents of every dollar spent on health care in Rhode Island by hospitals goes to pay for wages and benefits for those who care directly for patients, according to the HARI report.

No posts to display