Emory-Adventist Hospital Has $100 Million Impact on Local, State Economy
However, EAH leadership is concerned about the growing number of uninsured patients.
A recent report from the Georgia Hospital Association found that despite being in the midst of a recession Emory-Adventist Hospital had an estimated economic impact of $115,439,156 in 2010.
The GHA’s estimate was based on the “ripple effect” of the 88-bed hospital’s $49,904,529 in expenditures on the economy in areas like medical supplies and equipment. The ripple effect is an economic multiplier developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.
In a press release announcing the results of the study, a representative from EAH emphasized that not only did the hospital have more than a $100 million economic impact in a recession; it did so while providing more than $8 million in uncompensated care for uninsured patients.
According to the U.S. Census, 49.9 million Americans were without health insurance in 2010. Dennis Kiley, EAH’s CEO, noted that the hospital has seen an increase in the number of uninsured patients while the state is paying less than what it costs to treat Medicaid patients.
“Our local health care system is indispensable,” he said in the press release. “It is the primary guardian of health in our community and is the key building block for everything else in our community including education and economic vitality. It is our hope that, even in these challenging economic times, that our elected lawmakers will do what is necessary to protect our local health care system and preserve access to health care for every resident of Smyrna.”
Joan Roper
6:22 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thank you for the eye opening story. Although our facility is small, it is a huge asset to the Smyrna/Vinings community.
JBN
11:54 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Emory-Adventist certainly has a positive effect on the funeral business!! This "hospital" ranks at the bottom of the list! Even "pain management" ranks worst in the state! I thought this hospital regularly turned away people with no insurance! Emory should be ashamed to have their name associated with this place!!
Ms. Massey
10:30 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Recently, my husband was taken to the emergency room at EAH and he got wonderful care. As a matter of fact, he was tended to without any information being requested about insurance despite he has some of the best insurance around. I did meet with the friendly and professional registration rep and she got the necessary information, The bill was filed properly and paid promptly by husband and the insurance company. Chris, thanks for posting your positive information and sorry JBN is disgruntled.
Smyrna Res
9:47 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
On a recent ER visit to EAH, I found the staff to have a very uncaring manner. My diabetic husband was brought in unconscious with hypoglycemia. The first thing I was asked was "Do you has his insurance card?". Then he was left for over an hour without anyone checking in on him. After he was released, we were told by the insurance company (Humana) that the ER physician was not covered under POS.
Smyrna Res
10:08 am on Thursday, May 31, 2012
@Chris Long: You are obviously a paid spokesperson for Emory to counter any bad press. As a 28 year Smyrna resident, Smyrna Adventist Hospital lost it's caring personality when Emory became involved.
Joan Roper
2:13 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
As Patient Advocate/Grievance Coordinator at EAH, I invite anyone who has a bad experience at the Hospital to contact me. We improve by addressing complaints then re-educating, re-training, reminding our employees that our mission is serious and expectations are high. Our staffs strive to provide excellent care--just as all healthcare facilities. We certainly aren't perfect; however, as the only faith based facility in Cobb County, we realize our mission and take it seriously. Our continual goal is to improve. Healthcare has changed drastically in the past few years, and many folks don't understand the laws, standards, guidelines that hospitals have to follow. Unfortunately, many hospitals are judged by the way things were rather than the way things are. Sometimes when we are judged to have "dropped the ball", it is because there is some policy or rule that we are obligated to follow. Any way you cut it, our Hospital's daily contribution to the Smyrna community of $30,214 has to be regarded in a positive light. Appreciation is nice too....
J. B. Smith
2:52 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
I find it interesting that the people who have negative comments here have negative comments on most of these columns. It could be that they invite that type of response from people with their own negative attitude.
Mike - Smyrna
3:59 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
It is a nice facility and they give back to our community. My family has used the ER on more occasions then I would like to recall. I am grateful that they are a part of Smyrna. For the individuals that do nothing but complain – take your business to another hospital.