NEWS RELEASE  
September 22, 2008

Legislative panel to look at economic
impacts of health care industry

SPOKANE – Some of Washington’s leading experts will discuss how health care sales, employment, and employee income impact the state’s economy at a legislative meeting Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Riverpoint Campus.

The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and Economic Relations, chaired by Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, will learn about “The Economic Impact of the Health Care Industry in Washington State” in a two-and-a-half hour meeting starting at 8:30 a.m. at the WSU South Campus Facility Court, 412 East Spokane Falls Blvd.

Owen said the goal of this meeting is to take a close look at the health care industry as a leading economic sector, and identify its enormous contributions to the state’s economy.  The meeting is not intended to address health care cost or access issues.

“The common belief is that our state's economy is driven by some of our large, highly visible corporations,” Owen said. “While that may be true in part, there are also unseen economic drivers such as the health care industry that play a huge role in every part of our state.”

A recent study by Dr. David Bunting, professor of economics at Eastern Washington University and one of the speakers, states:  “Of all industries in Washington State, health care has the greatest direct and indirect impact, measured by output, employment or income.”

The committee is charged by state statute to study and review economic development issues with special emphasis on international trade, tourism, investment and industrial development, and to assist the legislature in developing a comprehensive and consistent economic development policy.  Its membership includes six state senators and six members of the House of Representatives.

At 1 p.m., the lieutenant governor will join officials with Washington State Mentors and the Bank of America to award a mentoring grant to the Department of Social and Health Services’ Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration office at 8517 E Trent, Suite 202, in Spokane Valley.

Both meetings are open to the public.