Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX
The near-term demand for health care workers in the Houston metro area declined slightly during the third quarter. Of note, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) announced that it was finally moving forward with a replacement hospital in Galveston, now several tears after Hurricane Ike ravaged the Gulf Coast. On a negative note, HealthSouth Hospital of Houston closed its doors at the end of the quarter, leaving 161 employees out of work.
On a comparative basis, the Houston health care labor market weakened slightly as measured by its Q3 LMPI score of 46.9, down 4% from the prior quarter and slightly below the national composite of 48.0.
Q3 Workforce Announcements
UTMB Galveston to build $438M hospital. August 25, 2011
Ike ravaged the Gulf Coast, the University of Texas Medical Branch is moving forward with construction of a replacement hospital in Galveston. The $438 million Jennie Sealy Hospital, to be built on the site of the existing Jennie Sealy building, will feature nearly 250 rooms, surgical suites and intensive-care space. The facility was already in the planning stages before the hurricane.
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2011/08/25/utmb-galveston-to-construct-new-438m.html
HealthSouth to close Houston hospital. August 1, 2011
HealthSouth Hospital of Houston is shutting its doors in less than 60 days, leaving 161 employees without jobs, according to a letter sent to the Texas Workforce Commission.
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2011/08/01/healthsouth-to-close-houston-hospital.html
Medical plaza in The Woodlands breaks ground. July 20, 2011
D’Agostino Cos.has broken ground on a 30,000-square-foot medical office building in The Woodlands called College Park Medical Plaza.
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2011/07/20/medical-plaza-in-the-woodlands-breaks.html
Hospitals and Health Systems

Source: US News & World Report
Education Program Expansions and Closures
No notable education program expansions and closures announced during Q3 2011.
Education Programs
Source: The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
Health of the Local Economy
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 Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX market.
Source: www.census.gov accessed 10/10/2011
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 Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX market.
Source: www.bls.gov accessed 10/10/2011
Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market PulseTM Index
- U.S. Census Bureau Population 5,728,143, #6 largest market
- U.S. Census Bureau Population 309th oldest market
- U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 21.5%, #34 fastest growing market
- Executive Summary
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