Eastern Oregon feels economic boost from hospitals, health care
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LAKE OSWEGO – The Hospital Association of Oregon has completed an economic impact study which shows that hospitals in Eastern Oregon enjoy $995 million in economic activity and help create more than 5,800 jobs in the region.
The association said that the report illustrates the vital role that hospitals play in the regional economy and should show the need for their financial stability to protect patient care and access to health services. The study defines Eastern Oregon as Baker, Grant, Harney, Morrow, Malheur, Lake, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties.
Of the counties with hospitals, Umatilla County has the biggest impact at $384.5 million. Union County adds up to $205.3 million, Malheur is $106 million, Baker is $62.7 million, Wallowa County is $53 million, Grant is $47.6 million, Harney is $46.8 million, and Morrow is $31.3 million.
HAO said that while there is no direct hospital employment, there are economic benefits felt in Gilliam County ($433,000) and Wheeler County ($245,000).
“Oregon’s community hospitals are more than just places we turn when we are sick or injured,” HAO President and Chief Executive Officer Becky Hultberg said. “They are pillars of our community. In every area of our state, the local hospital is a foundational employer, offering jobs at every educational level and helping spur growth in the local economy.”
In all of Oregon, community hospitals generate a total of $32.4 billion in economic activity and offer 160,000 jobs.
