Moon Twp., PA (June 19, 2009)— A recent report by The Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) estimates that Heritage Valley Health System accounted for approximately $776 million in spending in the local economy. Heritage Valley spends $315 million directly for staffing, goods and services and caused another $461 million in secondary spending within the local economy. Heritage Valley Health System employs approximately 4,300 individuals locally and supports an additional 3,000 jobs in the region and the state.

The HAP report also explains how Pennsylvania’s hospitals annually contribute more than $84 billion (direct and secondary) to the state's economy.

"While Heritage Valley is known for providing high quality healthcare in a community setting as well as medical education through our physician residency programs and nursing school, the local economy also benefits greatly from the economic activity generated by our facilities," said Norm Mitry, president and CEO of Heritage Valley. “Since a vast majority of our employees live in our service area, Heritage Valley also has a significant indirect support through spending on local goods and services.”

Carolyn F. Scanlan, president and CEO of HAP said, "This new report on the considerable and growing social and economic impact of hospitals on communities across Pennsylvania shows that it is imperative for policymakers to consider the health of hospitals – and, by extension, their communities – as they make decisions about critical health care issues."

The statewide economic impact report is available online at http://www.haponline.org/downloads/HAP_The_Economic_and_Social_Roles_of_PA_
Hospitals_March2009.pdf.

About Heritage Valley Health System
Heritage Valley Health System provides comprehensive healthcare for residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, in Pennsylvania; eastern Ohio; and the panhandle of West Virginia. In partnership with more than 400 physicians, Heritage Valley offers a broad range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services at its two hospitals, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley; in physician offices; and community satellite facilities. Additional information about Heritage Valley Health System is available online at www.heritagevalley.org.