February 17th, 2009

Reports the Beaver County Times:

On one hand: a biannual federal study that shows the health care industry will be the national leader in job growth through 2016.

On the other: a survey by the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania that shows the state’s acute-care hospitals are struggling as the economy continues to slow, some to the degree that layoffs and other cost-reducing measures are becoming necessary.

The truth is that both sides are right — it just depends on whether you’re talking about the short- or long-term outlook.

In the short term, things don’t look so hot. In the HAP survey, conducted late last year, 75 percent of the state’s hospitals said the current economic crisis would have a “moderate to significant effect” on their financial stability, and that they are unlikely to meet budget targets in the current fiscal year.

…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has a different, albeit more long-term view. Its biannual Occupational Handbook identified the health care industry as the national growth leader. It is projected to add 3 million new positions between 2006 and 2016. No other industry will add as many positions, the new study said.

Read more at the Beaver County Times.