NJ Hospitals Say They Are Major Economic Engine [AUDIO]

New Jersey's hospitals say they are an economic driver and the source of many good jobs Statewide.

New Jersey Hospital Association spokeswoman Kerry McKean Kelly says in 2011, Jersey hospitals collectively added 19.5 billion dollars to New Jersey's economy, through employee salaries paid and taxes paid and the purchase of goods and services. They employed approximately 140-thousand people, including 114-thousand fulltime jobs.

McKean Kelly says it is really heartening to see that hospitals continue to be what she calls, "an economic bright spot" in the state and the nation.

She says with their purchases of other goods and services, hospitals also create business growth and jobs in the communities they serve.

The Hospital Association issued a report on the economic benefits provided by members.

Specific highlights from the 2012 report include:

• New Jersey hospitals purchased $2.5 billion in goods and services from other companies last year, an increase of $100 million over 2010. Key areas include contracted labor ($1.2 billion), pharmaceuticals ($853 million), utilities ($286 million), dietary, laundry and housekeeping ($137 million) and building supplies ($17 million).
• New Jersey hospitals paid $7.9 billion in employee salaries last year, compared with $7.6 billion in 2010.
• Employees at New Jersey hospitals paid approximately $435 million in state income taxes last year, compared with $422 million in 2010.
• New Jersey hospitals paid more than $132 million in state taxes, assessments and fees last year, compared with $129.5 million in 2010.
• New Jersey hospitals delivered about $1.3 billion in charity care services last year to the working poor and other uninsured residents, on par with 2010 charity care levels.