IHA Report Announces MDH’s Economic Impact

MACOMB, Ill. – In a recently released economic impact report by the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, McDonough District Hospital continues to provide a major economic impact for the McDonough County area.

The IHA report highlights MDH’s annual economic impact of nearly $180 million dollars ($179,898,138) and producing more than 1,200 jobs.

IHA’s announcement highlights the significant role McDonough District Hospital plays in the community, and its direct contribution to the local and state economy.

“Although healthcare is rapidly changing and facing ever increasing pressures, we at McDonough District Hospital are proud to have such a positive impact on our region’s economy while providing quality healthcare to our communities,” said MDH President/CEO Kenny Boyd.

Overall, Illinois hospitals and health systems account for 466,000 jobs and a statewide impact of $95.3 billion. From 2001 to present, healthcare employment stands at a positive 30 percent change while total Illinois employment change is just 0.5 percent during that same timeframe.

Over the past 60 years, MDH continues to engage in a variety of initiatives and services to improve one’s individual health and the whole community’s well-being.

Lifeguard Ambulance Service recently took over as exclusive provider for 911 services in McDonough County. The majority of EMT personnel chose to join the Lifeguard company, and an additional five staff members were added on top of what was currently staffed at MDH. Those additional employees help expanded EMS services to the county on a daily basis.

Five members of the MDH Emergency Staff serve on the Region 2 Medical Emergency Response Team (RMERT) based out of OSF Hospital in Peoria. The team, comprised of nearly 70 medical professionals, and their mission is to improve disaster response and assist the existing medical service team for community emergencies in the event of a significant medical disaster involving the central Illinois area.

MDH is part of a six-member Illinois Rural Accountable Care Organization. The Illinois Rural Accountable Care Organization (ACO), which received a Population Health Pioneer Award for Highest Engagement last fall, is dedicated to deliver the best healthcare possible to rural communities. The mission is to improve the health of individuals seeking care and services, improve the overall health of the rural population served, and reduce the individual’s healthcare beneficiary spending and overall costs.

The creation of three full-time positions for Care Coordination Services for the ACO helps meet the increased demand. The McDonough Medical Group (MMG) added 14 physicians and nurse practitioners to also better serve the region’s population while strengthening the MDH organization.

Care Coordination clinic visits increased by 10 percent over a year period from 2016 to 2017 (8,305) while MMG visits jumped almost 40 percent to 58,872 in 2017.

Preventative medical screenings, expanded emergency services and launch of Wellness Solutions for businesses and their employees are all proven measures to lower costs, increase savings and improve health.

Since its inception, Wellness Solutions has partnered with 10 employers within the MDH service area, including the areas second-largest employer. The program covers approximately 1,400 employees within the community and provided more than 500 patient encounters.

“Illinois hospitals and health systems serve their communities in so many ways. They provide needed healthcare around the clock, they strengthen local economies and employ local residents, and they lead and fund initiatives to improve individual and population health,” said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. “Their role is vital and truly irreplaceable in communities across the state.

“Illinois hospitals and health systems count on the support of elected officials at the state and federal levels. Illinois residents deserve to have quality healthcare and to live in economically thriving communities. For hospitals to continue to achieve these goals, they cannot sustain further cuts at the state and federal levels,” Wilhelmi added.

About IHA

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association, with offices in Chicago, Naperville, Springfield and Washington, D.C., advocates for Illinois’ more than 200 hospitals and nearly 50 health systems as they serve their patients and communities. IHA members provide a broad range of services—not just within their walls, but across the continuum of healthcare and in their communities. Reflecting the diversity of the state, IHA members consist of nonprofit, investor-owned and public hospitals in the following categories: community, safety net, rural, critical access, specialty and teaching hospitals, including academic medical centers. For more information, see team-iha.org. Like IHA on Facebook. Follow IHA on Twitter.