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Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA


Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
Q2 2011 – Market Summary

The near term demand for health care workers in the Atlanta metropolitan area slipped during the second quarter of 2011 after remaining relatively strong for many of the previous quarters. Of note during the quarter, were job losses announced Grady Memorial and Piedmont Healthcare. A total of 585 jobs were eliminated between the two systems due to higher ER volumes and lower reimbursement.

On a comparative basis, the strength of the Atlanta health care labor market as measured by its Q2 LMPI score dropped to 38.9 from 45.2 the prior quarter, and remained weaker than much of the rest of the country as measured by the LMPI composite index of 49.9 for the quarter.



Q2 Workforce Announcements

Grady cuts 120 jobs as losses mount. June 14, 2011
Grady Memorial Hospital plans to cut about 120 jobs - a move that will save the hospital about $7 million annually. Grady faced a $20 million cut in indigent care funding. The downtown hospital saw a surge in ER volumes, typically the most expensive venue of care. Higher margin outpatient volumes, meanwhile have declined. The 953-bed Grady employs about 5,000. Grady has cut about 200 jobs so far this year.
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/atlantech/2011/06/grady-cuts-120-jobs-as-losses-mount.html
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/jun/14/grady-memorial-hospital-to-cut-120-jobs-ar-1974244/

Piedmont to ax 465 jobs, cut $68M. June 9, 2011
Piedmont Healthcare will ax 464 jobs - or about 5 percent of its workforce - as it braces for the “new normal” of lower reimbursement and higher unpaid medical bills. Of the 465 jobs slated for elimination, about 170 are vacant. Flagship, Piedmont Hospital is hardest hit - roughly 300 jobs there are expected to be culled.
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/atlantech/2011/06/piedmont-to-ax-465-jobs-cut-68m.html?page=all

Previous market news

Hospitals and Health Systems


Source: US News & World Report

Education Program Expansion and Closures

No notable education program expansions and closures announced during Q2 2011.

Education Programs


Source: The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Health of the Local Economy

Declining home prices may cause healthcare employees to seek additional hours from current employers, delay retirement plans and be more willing to relocate for a better job opportunities. Below is the Case-Shiller Home Price Index for the overall Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA market.


Source: http://www2.standardandpoors.com accessed 7/7/2011

Lower home ownership rates reduce the impact of home price fluctuations and increase the willingness of healthcare employees to relocate for better job opportunities. Below are home ownership rates for the overall Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA market.

Source: www.census.gov accessed 7/7/2011

The recent rising unemployment rates create new demands for health services. Higher unemployment shifts the mix away from higher margin procedures to more primary care in the emergency room and critical care for conditions that should have been treated early at a primary care physician. In general, rising unemployment also reduces turnover and engagement of employed workers, while low unemployment tends to increase intra market churn. Below are unemployment rates for the overall Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA market.


Source: www.bls.gov accessed 7/7/2011

Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market PulseTM Index

  • U.S. Census Bureau Population 5,376,285, #8 largest market
  • U.S Census Bureau Population 286th oldest market
  • U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 26.6%, #20 fastest growing market


   

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