MHA Press Room

New report finds that potential Medicare cuts could lead to more than 8,000 jobs lost in Mississippi

A new report found that over 8,000 health care and related jobs could be lost in Mississippi by 2021 as a result of the 2 percent sequester of Medicare spending mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Nationally, more than 766,000 jobs would be lost according to the report released today by the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) at a press conference in Washington, DC.

The report, produced by Tripp Umbach, a firm specializing in conducting economic impact studies, measures the anticipated effect of these cuts in Medicare payments on health care providers and other industries. The Tripp Umbach model reflects how reductions in Medicare payment for health care services will lead to direct job losses in the health care sector, reduced purchases by health care entities of goods and services from other businesses which in turn will lay-off workers, and reduced household purchases by workers who lose their jobs. As the impact of these cuts ripples through the economy, jobs will be lost across many sectors beyond health care.

This model estimates that, during the first year of the sequester, more than 496,000 jobs will be lost. The report found that the job losses will affect many economic sectors beyond health care.

The health care sector has long been an economic mainstay providing stability and growth even during times of recession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that health care created 169,800 jobs in the first half of 2012 and accounted for one out of every 5 new jobs created this year.

In Mississippi, more than 60,000 people work in hospitals, which provide a statewide economic impact of $11.9 billion.

Tripp Umbach designed a customized model based on the national economic impact models developed by MIG IMPLAN, as well as previous impact studies.

The Tripp Umbach report is available below as a PDF.

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Critical Care: The Economic Impact of Hospitals on the State's Economy

A comprehensive study of the economic impact of health care in Mississippi shows that our state’s hospitals have a staggering impact on the state economy. Study findings show hospitals alone generate:
• $11.9 billion total impact on the state economy 
• 60,143 full time job equivalent employees (5.7% of total statewide employment). Hospitals also created an additional 34,557 jobs outside of their facilities.
• Payrolls and benefits totaled $3.2 billion per year (with a total economic impact of $5.8 billion)
• Average hospital employee salary of $42,193 (compared to Mississippi average of $33,185)

These numbers tally only a fraction of the economic impact of the hospital on the state’s economy. As the hospitals spend dollars for operating and capital expenditures, they create jobs and payroll in other businesses in the economy. In total, 94,700 jobs are created by hospitals alone in Mississippi due to hospital employment, operational activities and construction activities. 

The publication, Critical Care: The Economic Impact of Hospitals on Mississippi’s Economy, was commissioned by the Mississippi Hospital Association and conducted by DataGen. DataGen analyzed not only the direct economic contribution of hospitals, but also calculated how many jobs and how much income and tax revenue is created as a secondary effect. The jobs and payroll generated in other businesses are measured with employment and income multipliers derived for Mississippi.

“As Mississippi leaders continue to consider the state’s economic priorities and look for ways to create more jobs, they should keep in mind the importance of hospitals and health care to the state economy,” said Sam W. Cameron, MHA President/CEO. “This study shows that health care is much more to Mississippi than hospitals, clinics and doctors. The ripple effect of the health care sector throughout Mississippi’s economy is enormous. What’s good for Mississippi’s hospitals is good for Mississippi’s economy.”

In many Mississippi communities, hospitals are the largest or one of the largest employers. Twenty-six hospitals have more than 500 employees. (This number does not include contract employees.) Many of the people working in hospitals are highly skilled and well paid. (The average hospital employee salary in Mississippi is $42,193.) Throughout the recession, hospitals have served as a firm foundation for our state’s economy. Mississippi hospital employment remained stable even while manufacturing and other sectors shed jobs in record numbers.

An often-overlooked aspect of hospitals in economic development is the ability to attract and recruit big business based on the availability of quality health care. Company surveys reveal that managers often look at health care as an important issue in locating facilities. The existence of a strong health care network can lower health care costs for firms and their employees and provide value-added services for firms such as occupational health. Also, retirees and workers are more likely to choose a location that has access to quality health care.

Mississippi hospitals directly provide over $3.2 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.1 billion annually in income through other jobs. Mississippi’s health care sector is also generating more new jobs faster than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor, 1 of 4 new jobs in our current economy are related to health care. The health care sector is not only the nation's top job generator, but it's also one of the few major industries producing new jobs at all. 

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Sam W. Cameron
President/CEO
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Combs joins MHA as vice president for policy

In September, Gwen Combs joined the staff of the Mississippi Hospital Association as Vice President for Policy. 

Gwen recently retired from the State, having served as Deputy General Counsel for the Mississippi Bar for seven years, Special Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Division of Medicaid for 10 years, Deputy Administrator for the Division of Medicaid for two years, Senior Staff Attorney for the Mississippi Supreme Court for four years, and law clerk to then-Presiding Justice Dan Lee of the Mississippi Supreme Court for two years.

Gwen received her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law, graduating with Special Distinction in 1987.  She served as Senior Associate Editor of the Mississippi College Law Review and her case note was published in 1986.  Gwen has a Master’s Degree in English from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, and a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Kentucky Wesleyan College, in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Gwen and her husband, Perry, reside in Jackson. They are the parents of two sons, Ian Combs of Fairhope, Alabama, and Evan Combs of Hattiesburg, Mississippi,  and the grandparents of Savannah Marie and Lucas Gregory Combs.  They are members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Gwen is  a member of the American Bar Association and its Health Law Section, and the Mississippi Bar, where she serves on the Ethics Committee.

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Hilton named Chairman of MHA's Board of Governors

Richard G. Hilton, FACHE, Associate Administrator/Chief Financial Officer of OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville, MS, was elected Chairman of the 2011-2012 Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Board of Governors during MHA's 80th Annual Leadership Conference in Point Clear, Ala.

Hilton has served in his current position since 1983. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and an M.S. in Hospital & Health Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Hilton is a very active member of MHA. He has served as a member of the MHA Board of Governors, MHA Solutions Board of Directors, the MHA Finance Committee, the Quarter Century Executive Forum, and the MHA Executive Committee. In 2010, he was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to the Mississippi Hospital and Equipment Facility Authority (MHEFA) Board of Directors, representing the 3rd  Supreme Court District. He is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Hospital Association, the Mississippi Chapter of the Hospital Financial Management Association, and Mississippi Healthcare Executives.

He is a member of Church of Christ at Lee Boulevard, and is involved with several community organizations, including the Starkville Rotary Club, the Starkville Kiwanis Club, and the Greater Starkville Partnership Development Board of Directors.  He is the founder of Family Life Missions, Inc., a Benevolent Ministry operating children’s homes in Catacamas, Honduras, where he has served as President/CEO and Board Chairman.

Hilton and his wife, La Rue, reside in Starkville and have seven children and five grandchildren.

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Carlton, Powell named Professionals of the Year

The Mississippi Hospital Association’s Society for Health Care Marketing and Public Relations recently named a Junior and Senior Professional of the Year for 2010. Tom Carlton was presented with the Senior Pofessional of the Year Award and Laurie Powell was presented the Junior Professional of the Year Award during the society's annual meeting in November in Madison, Miss.

These awards are given each year to an outstanding professional in the field of health care marketing and public relations. It is based on accomplishments and years of experience in the field, focusing on professionalism, creativity, contributions to the organizations and communities they have served, as well as a continued dedication to learning and furthering the field of marketing and public relations.

Hal Leftwich (right), administrator of Hancock Medical Center, presents Tom Carlton (left) with the Senior Professional of the Year Award.

Carlton has been with HMC since December of 2006 as marketing/development director. He has over 13 years of health care marketing experience. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis (where he was honored as the Rotarian of the Year in 2009), the Lions Club of Diamondhead (where he was named the Melvin Jones Fellow in 2010), and Leadership Hancock County. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri.

Laurie Powell (right) is presented with the Junior Professional of the Year Award by Amy Sharpe, cancer services coordinator for St. Dominic Hospital (left)

Powell serves as a marketing specialist for St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. She holds a B.A. in Communications and an M.S. in Instructional Technology from Mississippi State University.

She has also served as Jackson Chi Omega Alumni Panhellinic Representative (2008-10), Jackson Area Alumni Panhellinic Association Vice President (2009), a member of the Marketing Committee for WLBT Great Lengths Cancer Campaign (2010), and a member of the Marketing Committee for Drive to Inspire Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign (2008-10).

Jones named Honorary Member of MHA

 

During the 79th annual Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Leadership Conference in June, J.W. Jones was named an Honorary Member of MHA. This designation is conferred upon individuals in recognition of outstanding public or private service within the sphere of association work.  Honorary members are nominated by the MHA Board of Governors and elected as such by the voting membership.  

Jones began his career with Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center (JARMC) in 1980 as a purchasing agent.  He was promoted to personnel director in 1981, vice president in 1985 and first vice president in 1988. 

Under Jones’ leadership the hospital developed many new initiatives including the opening of the Jeff Anderson Health and Fitness Center in 1989. Throughout his career, Jones was active in many state and local organizations including the MHA Solutions Board of Directors and MHA’s Quarter Century Club; the East Mississippi Administrative Council, serving as Chairman for two terms; Phi Delta Kappa Professional Association for Educators, serving as President; Board Member of the Meridian Rotary Club, and Board Member of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association.

Jones actively volunteers for many community organizations including the American Cancer Society, United Way of East Mississippi, East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, and the American Heart Association, serving as co-chairman with his wife, Betty Lou, on the annual Art for Heart event.  They are members of First Baptist Church.

J.W. and his wife, Betty Lou, are the parents of three adult children, LouAnn Lamar, Jenny Bryan, and Will Jones.  They have six grandchildren.

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Humphreys appointed chairman of MHA Board of Governors

Ray Humphreys, President/Chief Executive Officer of Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, MS, was appointed Chairman of the 2010-2011 Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Board of Governors on Thursday, June 10, at the Mississippi Hospital Association's 79th Annual Leadership Conference in Point Clear, Ala.

Humphreys previously served as CEO of Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville from 2001 to April 2010 and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg from 1976 to 2000.

Humphreys began his career in health care administration at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Vicksburg in 1970.

Humphreys is a very active member of MHA. He has served as a member of the MHA Board of Governors, chairman of MHA's Committee on Legislation, as a member of the MHA Trauma Committee, and on the MHA Executive Committee. He served on the Board of Directors of the Delta Economic Center and is a past member of the Delta Revitalization Task Force and the Governor's Medicaid Advisory Committee. As a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Humphreys was named Healthcare Executive of the year in 2004. He is active in church and involved with several community organizations.

Humphreys received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 1967 and his Master's in Hospital Administration from Mississippi College in 1978.

Humphreys and his wife, Michelle, have two children-Dr. Chandler Humphreys, a dentist in Hattiesburg, and Kelley Elizabeth, who was lost in an auto accident in 2006. He is the son of Alta Kate Humphreys and the late Leland Earl Humphreys of Philadelphia.

Swan, Alliston named Professionals of the Year

The Mississippi Hospital Association’s Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations recently named a Junior and Senior Professional of the Year for 2009. Swan was presented with the Senior Pofessional of the Year Award and Alliston was presented the Junior Professional of the Year Award during the society's annual meeting in Jackson, Miss.

These awards are given each year to an outstanding professional in the field of health care marketing and public relations. It is based on accomplishments and years of experience in the field, focusing on professionalism, creativity, contributions to the organizations and communities they have served, as well as a continued dedication to learning and furthering the field of marketing and public relations.

Bill Oliver, left, nominated Millie Swan for the award.

Swan has been with Forrest General for 14 years and has directed the Marketing, Medical Staff Services, Medical Library, Community Education, FG On Call, and Print Shop departments.  She recently received a promotion to the title of Chief of Marketing and Medical Staff Services. She has worked as a public and physician relations practitioner in the field of healthcare for over 20 years. Swan has been recognized as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and with the Sales and Marketing Executives International – Hattiesburg Chapter’s Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award. Swan has also given leadership to numerous philanthropic and professional organizations, including serving as past President of the Mississippi Hospital Association’s Public Relations and Marketing Society. Swan and her husband, Randy, are the proud parents of 16-year-old Ivey and 5-year-old Zoey Grace.

 

Becky Martin, left, nominated Amanda Alliston for the award.

Alliston has been employed with HMA since 2002. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2007 with a B.A. in Advertising and a minor in Marketing. She resides in Florence with her son Hayden, 8. 

Humphreys appointed chairman-elect of MHA Board of Governors

Ray Humphreys, chief executive officer of Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, MS, was appointed chairman-elect of the 2009-2010 Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Board of Governors on Thursday, June 25, at the Mississippi Hospital Association’s 78th Annual Leadership Conference in Biloxi, MS.

Humphreys has served as CEO of Delta Regional since 2001. He previously served as chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg from 1976 to 2000. Humphreys began his career in health care administration at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Vicksburg in 1970. Humphreys is a very active member of MHA. He has served as a member of the MHA Board of Governors, chairman of MHA’s Committee on Legislation, as a member of the MHA Trauma Committee, and on the MHA Executive Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Delta Economic Center and is a past member of the Delta Revitalization Task Force and the Governor’s Medicaid Advisory Committee. As a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Humphreys was named Healthcare Executive of the year in 2004. He is active in church and involved with several community organizations.

Humphreys received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 1967 and his Master’s in Hospital Administration from Mississippi College in 1978.

Ray Humphreys and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Dr. Chandler Humphreys, a dentist in Hattiesburg, and Kelley Elizabeth, who was lost in an auto accident in 2005. He is the son of Leland Earl and Alta Kate Humphreys of Philadelphia, Mississippi.

MHA Media Briefing on Barbour's proposed hospital tax hike

In anticipation of the upcoming Special Session to finalize the state budget (and Medicaid funding), the Mississippi Hospital Association will provide media with a briefing on how Gov. Barbour’s proposed $90 million hospital tax hike will affect access to health care in Mississippi. We will also respond to misinformation being generated and Gov. Barbour’s latest proposals regarding Medicaid funding.    

 

A Question & Answer session with MHA President/CEO Sam Cameron will immediately follow the briefing. Interviews will also be available.

 

If you are a reporter covering a certain area, we can provide you with the specific impact of the $90 million tax hike on your coverage area. If you cannot attend but have questions you would like answered, contact Shawn Lea at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3237 or slea@mhanet.org.

 

When:  1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 16

 

Where:  MHA offices, 116 Woodgreen Crossing, Madison, MS 39110 or call-in to participate

 

Call-In Instructions:  Phone lines will open at 1:20 p.m. The dial-In number is 1-888-640-7748. The entry code is 3830676(#)