Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Q4 2010 - Market Summary

The near term demand for health care workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro fell slightly in the fourth quarter of 2010. Of note, construction is now complete at Methodist Hospital for Surgery in Addison, a physician-owned facility that is near its opening as of the end of the year. Texas Health Resources also announced plans to expand two of its campuses, adding 125,000 square feet of medical office space as well as a host of other services.

Q4 Workforce Announcements

Methodist’s physician-owned hospital opens in Addison. December 17, 2010
Construction is complete on the $60 million Methodist Hospital for Surgery in Addison, meaning the physician-owned facility has cleared one hurdle in a race to beat a Dec. 31 deadline for projects of its kind. The federal health care reform, passed in March, prohibits the construction of future physician-owned hospitals. The law requires new doctor-owned facilities to be open and certified by Medicare by Dec. 31. Otherwise, they are not permitted to take part in Medicare and other federal programs that make up about half of most hospitals’ revenue.
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/print-edition/2010/12/17/methodists-physician-owned-hospital.html
http://www.methodisthospitalforsurgery.com/about/about_us.cfm

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 Q4 2010.

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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX market.

Source: http://www2.standardandpoors.com accessed 1/5/2011

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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX market.

Source: www.census.gov accessed 1/5/2011

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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX market.

Source: www.bls.gov accessed 1/5/2011

Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market Pulse^TM Index

• U.S. Census Bureau Population 6,300,006 #4 largest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population #304 oldest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 22.1%, #32 fastest growing market