Arkansas hospitals had a significant impact on the state’s economy in 2022, with an estimated $18.045 billion impact, according to the Arkansas Hospital Association’s latest report. The report found that hospitals provided or created 94,400 jobs, with 12% of Arkansas workers employed by hospitals or other healthcare organizations.
Hospitals spent almost $5 billion on goods and services, generating about $9.3 billion in economic output. They also provided $466 million in charity care. In 2022, hospitals in the state saw 351,584 inpatient visits, 4,761,464 outpatient visits and procedures, 1,446,356 emergency department visits, and 33,726 births, with 56% of births reimbursed using Medicaid funding.
The report also highlighted disparities in birthing services, with 49 counties lacking a birthing hospital and mothers in rural areas traveling an average of 17 minutes, with some traveling up to 65 minutes. The AHA, composed of 105 members in 55 counties, includes various types of hospitals, such as general acute care community hospitals, critical access hospitals, and psychiatric hospitals.
Sixty-three percent of the state’s hospitals are charitable, not-for-profit organizations, while 25% are private, for-profit providers, and 12% are public hospitals. Fifty-seven hospitals are designated trauma centers, with six designated as Level 1 trauma centers.
The report also highlighted the additional services provided by hospitals, including health promotion outreach, early COVID-19 evaluation, mobile disease screening, and services addressing food insecurity.
Overall, the report underscores the vital role that hospitals play in Arkansas, not only in providing healthcare services but also in driving economic growth and supporting communities across the state.
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