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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Q3 2010 - Market Summary

The near term demand for health care workers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area fell off slightly during Q3. Of note was the elimination of an unknown number of positions by Howard University as part of a major restructuring. On a positive note, Childrens National Medical Center won approval to begin work on its first major expansion since the current hospital was built, adding 20 beds.

On a comparative basis, the WDC health care labor market is now slightly weaker than most of other major metropolitan areas across the country. For the third quarter of 2010, Washington metro registered an LMPI score of 45.77 compared to the national composite index of 50.62, and down 16% from the prior quarter.



Q3 Workforce Announcements

Children’s National Medical Center expansion wins D.C. green light. August 27, 2010
Children’s National Medical Center has received the go-ahead from D.C. health regulators to begin work on its first major expansion since the current hospital was built, adding 20 beds. The District’s State Health Planning and Development Agency granted the pediatric hospital a certificate of need for renovations that will create an intensive care unit specifically for children born with serious heart defects.
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2010/…
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/08/23/...

Howard University Hospital to cut jobs. August 3, 2010
Howard University Hospital is laying off an unknown number of workers as part of major restructuring plan.
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/07/26/daily68...

University of Maryland Medical System, Upper Chesapeake Health acquire 70 acres for expansion. July 23, 2010
The University of Maryland Medical System and Upper Chesapeake Health System have bought 70 acres in Havre de Grace in Harford County for future hospital expansion. The health systems, which have a partnership in place and plan to merge in the future, are bracing for a dramatic increase in the need for medical care as thousands of workers move to Harford County under the Pentagon’s base realignment and closure plan.
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/07/26/...

D.C. buys United Medical Center. July 9, 2010
In a thoroughly informal, brief foreclosure auction a D.C. assistant deputy attorney general bought United Medical Center. The noncompetitive auction (there were no other bids) was the latest step in a fast-developing plan to seize the hospital from its former owner, Specialty Hospitals of America LLC, because District officials believe its financial troubles were jeopardizing the viability of the hospital.
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/07/…l

Previous market news

Hospitals and Health Systems

Source: US News & World Report

Education Program Expansion and Closures

No notable education program expansions or closures announced during Q3 2010.

Education Programs

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market.

Source: http://www2.standardandpoors.com accessed 10/1/2010

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market.

Source: www.census.gov accessed 10/1/2010

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market.

Source: www.bls.gov accessed 10/1/2010

Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market PulseTM Index

  • U.S. Census Bureau Population 5,358,130, #9 largest market
  • U.S Census Bureau Population #170 oldest market
  • U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 11.7%, #105 fastest growing market
   

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