AMC announces economic impact for 2004
July 9th, 2006
SARANAC LAKE - In addition to being the main provider of health care services in the Tri-Lakes region and beyond, Adirondack Medical Center continues to be a major contributor to the local economy.
In 2004, AMC generated an astounding economic impact of $78,921,000, according to a report prepared by the medical center with assistance from the Healthcare Association of New York State.
"As health care providers, hospitals are not always thought of as economic engines, however the impact of Adirondack Medical Center is tremendous," said Chandler Ralph, AMC president/CEO, "We want the community to see us first as an excellent and compassionate health care provider, but to also appreciate the value of our overall contribution to the economic health of the community."
The report highlights not only the significant role the medical center plays in the local community, but identifies and measures the direct impact Adirondack Medical Center has on the local economy. In addition to the direct impact there is the "ripple" effect of the dollars the medical center brings into the community through direct and indirect jobs, new construction, state and local taxes, improved health care, delivery of services, and overall community wellness.
Not only does Adirondack Medical Center bolster the infrastructure of the region, residents and visitors alike rely upon the medical center and health care centers to:
- Provide excellent health care close to home.
- Bring life into the world.
- Care for the elderly.
- Safeguard the public in times of emergency or disaster.
- Educate the public about the impact of lifestyles on their health and well-being.
Major Employer
AMC employs 702 full- and part-time, per-diem, and contract employees who earn a total annual payroll of $27,342,000. The money AMC employees earn serves as a vital economic stimulus, creating and supporting jobs throughout the local and state economies. Overall, the medical center can take credit for 810 direct and indirect jobs as a result of its presence the community.
For example, the money earned by AMC employees, which is spent on groceries, clothing, mortgage payments, rent, and other goods and services, generated upwards of $44,973,000 in economic activity for the local economy.
AMC buys local
Employees of AMC are not the only ones who play a key role in supporting the local economy. Annually, the medical center spends roughly $18,945,000 on the goods and services necessary to provide quality health care. For example, medical supplies, heating oil and electricity for its buildings, and food for the patients are all purchased on a local level.
Capital spending
In 2004, AMC spent $1,694,000 on buildings and equipment. Capital spending by the medical center generates approximately $2,786,000 for the local economy per year.
State and local tax collections
The employees of AMC and the jobs supported indirectly by the facility generated $1,293,000 in state and local income taxes in 2004.
Furthermore, the employees of Adirondack Medical Center and the jobs supported indirectly by the medical center generated $1,011,000 in local sales tax and $1,143,000 in state sales tax.
Vital statistics
Adirondack Medical Center provides vital health care services to our community. In 2004, the medical center tallied 3,549 inpatient visits, 68,177 outpatient visits and procedures, 14,627 emergency room visits, 30,964 health/dental clinic visits, 1,923 ambulatory surgical procedures, 3,144 operating room procedures, and delivered 229 babies.
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 has 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 100 patients per course.
Likewise, the Adirondack Wellness Movement supported by the medical center is designed to help individuals live healthier lifestyles. Through the Wellness Movement, 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.
"Zone of Safety"
Local residents can take comfort in the knowledge that AMC is preparing today for the challenges of tomorrow. In this new world, hospitals do more than provide medical care to the community. Hospitals are sometimes called upon as a place of refuge, food, shelter, and information in times of distress.
Times of distress can be defined by the needs of the community being greater than the resources available. The staff of AMC is keenly aware of this challenge and has developed a multi-agency, multi-faceted approach should the need to respond to a mass casualty incident or pandemic arise.
Compelling evidence
The economic impact report is compelling evidence of the fiscal benefit of Adirondack Medical Center and its significant impact on the local and state economies.
In the effort to attract jobs and protect families in the region, it is critical for New York State to foster high quality health care providers and services.
We urge our state lawmakers, members of Congress, and community leaders to recognize that our hospital is instrumental in supporting the local economy, and that the proper steps are taken to continue investing in our state's health care system.
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AMC is accredited by the Joint Commission. Click here to view the Joint Commission Public Notice. |
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AMC is accredited by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. |
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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. |
