LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. – Community hospitals in Eastern Oregon create almost one billion in economic activity and provide thousands of jobs throughout the region.
The results of an economic impact study commissioned by the Hospital Association of Oregon, released March 3, highlight the economic and community impact of hospitals in Eastern Oregon, including Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS).
In operation in Hermiston since 1954, GSHCS has more than 1,200 staff members and 200 credentialed physicians and healthcare providers.
“Beyond providing high-quality healthcare, our organization is deeply embedded in the fabric of the communities we serve,” said GSHCS President and CEO Art Mathisen.
Across all of Oregon community hospitals generate $32.4 billion in economic activity and help create 160,000 jobs, according to the economic impact study.
“We can’t have a strong Oregon without strong community hospitals,” said Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon.
Community hospitals in Eastern Oregon serve Baker, Grant, Harney, Morrow, Malheur, Lake, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties.
In Umatilla County, GSHCS is an integral part of the communities it serves and “is not only a place of healing, but also a key contributor to economic growth by offering stable jobs with 100 percent employer-covered medical, dental and vision premiums, as well as educational opportunities, student scholarships, community improvement grants and free or reduced care totaling nearly $10 million,” said Mathisen.
The Hospital Association of Oregon operates as a voice for the state’s 62 hospitals and works to advance policy to support and sustain the healthcare needs and services of all Oregonians.
The economic impact study highlights the connections between hospitals and communities, and the results show the continued need for financial stability to protect access to healthcare services, according to the Hospital Association.
“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 Hultberg.
To learn more about the Hospital Association of Oregon, visit https://oregonhospitals.org/. Visit www.gshealth.org to learn more about Good Shepherd Health Care System.
