[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14538]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HOSPITALS ARE ABOUT JOBS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
the many hospital professionals that serve every day to keep our 
communities leading strong, healthy lives. Having spent 28 years as a 
therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home 
administrator, I know firsthand the many challenges this industry 
continues to face.
  Medicare and Medical Assistance payments are just a few of the many 
variables beyond a hospital's control--Medicare that only pays 80 to 90 
cents for every dollar of cost in delivering care and Medical 
Assistance that only pays 40 to 60 cents for every dollar of cost in 
delivering care.
  As Congress continues to work on issues impacting this industry, it 
is important to recognize the critical role our hospitals play in not 
only providing access to cost-effective care, but also economic growth.
  In my home State of Pennsylvania, more than 584,000 individuals 
depend on hospitals for their jobs through direct and indirect 
employment. The economic contributions made by Pennsylvania's hospitals 
to local communities continue to increase, rising to $98.9 billion in 
2010, and that's up from $89.8 billion during 2008.
  When 268,000 hospital employees spend money on products and services, 
it translates to nearly 317,000 additional hospital service-related 
jobs and more than $13 billion in employee compensation. More than 
$27.2 billion in total labor income is generated directly and 
indirectly by Pennsylvania hospitals. In 55 of the 67 Pennsylvania 
counties, hospitals remain among the top five employers, providing 
family-sustaining jobs and solid benefits. Every additional dollar in 
employee compensation in the hospital sector results in 92 cents of 
wages to other Pennsylvania industries.
  At a time marked by so much uncertainty, lawmakers need to ensure 
that hospitals remain viable assets in our communities, where they can 
provide jobs, support other businesses, and continue offering these 
critical services. Hospitals are about access to quality care and jobs.

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