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Nurse leader hails health care impact on economy
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| By: MATTHEW COLEMAN, DAILY LEADER Managing Editor |
November 04, 2009 |
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Despite some challenges, health care-related activities are playing a key role in sustaining the economy, the executive director of the state nurses association said Tuesday.
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"Health care and the growth in health care are what's keeping the economy alive," said Ricki Garrett of the Mississippi Nurses Association.
While speaking to members of the association's District Two, which includes Lincoln, Pike, Copiah, Walthall and Amite counties, at King's Daughters Medical Center, Garrett said health care represents a "big piece of the pie."
"That has turned out to be a real blessing in the current economy," Garrett said.
Garrett pointed out that while 289,000 jobs were lost last year, jobs in health care fields actually increased by 26,000. And she said the average salary of health care professionals is $57,000 a year.
"That's a pretty significant salary when compared to other salary ranges," Garrett said.
Over the last eight years, Garrett said of 3 million new jobs in the private sector, 2.5 million of those were related to health care.
Garrett indicated that trend will continue due to the advancing age of the population. She attributed that to the aging baby boomer population, plus the fact that health care jobs can't be outsourced that those in manufacturing or other fields.
"Those are going to be jobs that stay in the United States and add to the economy," Garrett said.
Although some have voiced concerns about a government takeover of health care, Garrett pointed out that around half of the money spent of health care in the country is already coming from the federal government in some form.
"We've already got a substantial influx of federal dollars in health care in the United States," she said.
Garrett also addressed some difficulties facing the health care industry, including some that are related to the economy.
Garrett cited statistics from an AARP survey of people 45 and older indicating that more people are using generic drugs instead of name brand, delayed seeing a physician, adjusting the medication to last longer or are not considering health care at all currently. She also said more people are postponing elective surgeries, which is impacting hospital finances.
Association members talked about ways to address a nursing shortage in the state and nation. Garrett said the shortage is expected to be around 260,000 by 2025.
Garrett cited the advancing age of nurses, with the average age being around 50, and a lack of nursing faculty to teach new nurses. Following meetings with state lawmakers and the governor's office, she said the association has formed a task force to look at nursing issues, including graduation and retention.
Garrett said the American Nurses Association is supporting President Obama's efforts for national health care reform, but is stepping up efforts to have nurses included in legislation affecting health care issues. While some members of associations from conservative states have not agreed with the national organization's stance, Garrett stressed the importance of having a seat at the table during the debate.
"If we're not there, that voice is not going to be heard," Garrett said.
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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