AMC Posts Significant Economic Impact on Community

    SARANAC LAKE - Adirondack Medical Center is not only on the leading edge of providing quality health care in the region, it is also a driving force in the local economy.
    Rightfully so, when people think of Adirondack Medical Center's community contributions, they think of excellent health care close to home, from the delivery of babies to the care of our elderly. In addition to day-to-day care, AMC is there to help the community in times of emergency or when disaster strikes. The Medical Center also serves as teacher to help educate area residents about the impact of lifestyles on their health and well-being.
    Less often recognized is the hospital's contribution to the local economy, including the people it employs, the impact of its spending, and the effect of hospital employees' spending and the taxes they pay.  Adirondack Medical Center is a major source of employment and purchaser of goods and services, as well as providing health care that allows people to be productive citizens.  These are factors that indicate the critical role AMC plays in the viability of the local economy.
    A recent report prepared by AMC, with assistance from the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), highlights the significant economic role AMC plays within our community.
    The latest available data indicates that in 2006, AMC had an estimated economic impact of $96.6 million on the local community. The overall economic impact is based on hospital payroll expenditures, goods and services employees purchase in the community, the purchase of goods necessary for daily hospital operations, capital spending for buildings and equipment, and the generation of local and state tax revenue.

By The Numbers
     In 2006, which is the year prior to AMC's acquisition of two skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, there were 520 employees on staff resulting in an annual payroll of $31 million. Hospital payroll expenditures serve as an important economic stimulus, creating and supporting jobs throughout the local and state economies.  In turn, those payroll dollars earned by AMC employees were spent on items such as groceries, clothing, mortgage payments, rent, vehicles, which in turn generated $51.6 million in economic activity for the local economy.
      Likewise, the Medical Center spends roughly $23 million annually on the goods and services needed to provide health care, for example, medical supplies, electricity, and food for patients.
     As a result of this cash infusion into the local economy, there is the impact on state and local tax collection. The employees of Adirondack Medical Center and the jobs supported indirectly by the facility paid $1.1 million in local sales tax and $1.2 million in state sales tax.

Community Wellness
     Through programs aimed at preventing disease before it occurs, Adirondack Medical Center saves individuals and the community millions of dollars in treatment costs and lost earnings.
    At AMC, the Alfred M. Decker Community Learning Center offers a wide range of services - free of charge - to provide patients, their families, and the community with the information they can trust.
    The Decker Center offers informative videos and quality brochures on a variety of topics such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer prevention and treatment, asthma, advanced directives, diet and nutrition, exercise and health, stress management, allergies, depression, headaches, and smoking cessation.
    For diabetes education, the Decker Center offers a six-week course, and on average serves about 50 patients per year.
    Likewise, the Adirondack Wellness Network supported by the Medical Center is designed to help individuals live healthier lifestyles. Through the Wellness Network, the AMC Wellness Department offers upwards of 1,000 health appraisals per year by offering screenings in the work place to assess individuals for health risks such as diabetes or heart disease. Not only do these health appraisals educate the public on how to better care for themselves by pursuing healthier lifestyles, the benefit to employers in the form of cost savings on health insurance premiums is invaluable.

Vital Statistics
    Adirondack Medical Center provides vital health care services to our community. In 2006, the Medical Center tallied 3,291 inpatient visits, 66,680 outpatient visits and procedures, 14,767 emergency room visits, 30,330 health/dental clinic visits, 2,121 ambulatory surgical procedures, 3,269 operating room procedures, and delivered 184 babies.
    Finally, it is important to note that no one is ever denied care at Adirondack Medical Center, regardless of ability to pay for services. In 2006, AMC provided over $3.4 million in health care to the community through charitable care and uncompensated services.

Compelling Evidence
    At a time when state and federal budget proposals seek to reduce or eliminate hospital resources, it is important to keep in mind the strong role AMC plays as a key community institution. In the effort to attract jobs and protect families in the region, it is critical to foster high quality health care providers and services.
    We urge our state lawmakers, members of Congress, and community leaders to recognize Adirondack Medical Center is instrumental in supporting the local economy, and to take the necessary steps to continue investing in our state's health care system. 
    For more information about Adirondack Medical Center, log onto www.amcCares.org.

Policies & Terms - Laboratory Test Collection Information - Sitemap

	AMC is accredited by the Joint Commission. Click here to view the Joint Commission Public Notice.
	AMC is accredited by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.
	Adirondack Medical Center's Bariatric Program and Dr. Michael Hill have been designated as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.