Houston Healthcare generates $482 million for state economy

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new report says Houston Healthcare is creating $482 million for the local and state economy.

It’s a cornerstone and a selling point.

“Hospital’s healthcare systems are important economic engines in a community and help drive that economic recovery,” Cary Martin, Houston Healthcare’s CEO, said.

He said he’s satisfied with new numbers from the Georgia Hospital Association.

The group reported Houston Healthcare generated $482 million for Georgia’s economy in 2014. The healthcare system is the third largest in Houston County.

“I think the importance of that number is not the $482 million, per se, but the $225 million total household earnings generated as well as 6,021 total full-time jobs in Georgia,” Martin said.

Full-time jobs that are impacting businesses around the hospital.

“For other development whether it’s industry or new businesses coming to town, access to quality healthcare is tremendous,” April Bragg, the CEO for Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce, said.

Bragg estimates a significant portion of new business comes to the city because of Houston Healthcare.

“The proximity to the resources we have in both communities makes it a very easy sell when we’re talking to new business and industries,” she said.

Martin wrestles with the idea of seeing that economic impact number grow — too much can be overwhelming, too little might not meet the demands of the people.

“That might mean you’re increasing services, sometimes that might mean you’re reducing services, but we’re trying to provide a better quality of care for a lower price to more people,” Martin said.

It’s a series of challenges he says faces many healthcare systems in the state, but he’s happy with the outcome so far and is looking to make the experience even better.

“Whether that’s better clinical outcome, reduced patient bad outcomes or errors, reducing the costs or charges, things of that nature,” Martin said.

Martin says Georgia has the third highest rate of uninsured people in the country.

He explained that hurts the hospital’s bottom line when ensuring everyone is being properly treated.