Hunter
08/07/26
A new report form the Iowa Hospital Association shows the economic benefit of the state’s 115 hospials and health systems beyond the care they provide.
The report shows University of Iowa Health Care plays a huge role in providing immunizations, health screenings, wellness programs and charity care. The report says although the state provides 16 percent of the stat’s hospital jobs and wages, their $595 million in what is categorized as “community benefits,” made up nearly 43 percent of the state’s $1.4 billion in community care contributions in 2025.
The Gazette reports beyond charity care and other community supports, Iowa hospitals generated a combined $24.8 billion in economic activity last year — nearly one-fifth of which came from UIHC alone at $4.8 billion. The growing UIHC system — with its four hospitals on three campuses and nearly 90 other clinic locations across Iowa — supported 16 percent of the hospital jobs statewide, and 16 percent of the $10.4 billion paid in total wages.
The report shows just how important UIHC is to Johnson County’s economy. It states its $4.8 billion in total expenditures accounted for half of the county’s gross domestic product last year; 29 percent of the county’s wages paid, and 27 percent of the total jobs.