FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2012
Contact: Danny Chun, (630) 276-5558

STATEMENT FROM ILLINOIS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT & CEO MARYJANE A. WURTH
Response to Governor Pat Quinn's State of the State Address

NAPERVILLE, ILL. - The Illinois Hospital Association (IHA) and the Illinois hospital community commend Governor Quinn for his focus on the importance of creating jobs and growing the state's economy, especially given the critical role that hospitals play as major employers and economic engines in the local and state economies.

Illinois hospitals generate nearly 425,000 direct and indirect jobs for Illinoisans and a total economic impact on the state economy of more than $78 billion a year. Hospitals are one of the few sectors that has continued to create jobs during the recent economic downturn and are vital to helping stimulate the state's economic recovery.

We urge the Governor and General Assembly to continue to make the investments necessary to transform the state's health care delivery system - to a patient-centered system focused on delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place - cost effectively and efficiently with the best possible outcomes for patients. Illinois hospitals must have the resources to invest in electronic health records, qualified staff, new technology and upgraded physical plants.

IHA and the hospital community look forward to working with the Governor and General Assembly to strengthen Medicaid and the state's health care delivery system so all Illinoisans have access to the quality health care they need and depend on and to support hospitals as major job creators and economic engines.

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The Illinois Hospital Association, with offices in Naperville, Springfield, and Washington DC, represents 200 hospitals and health systems and the patients and communities they serve. For more information, see IHA's website, www.ihatoday.org. Like IHA on Facebook. Follow IHA on Twitter.