Kansas City, MO-IL
Q4 2011 - Market Summary

The near-term demand for health care workers in the Kansas City metropolitan area remained steady during fourth quarter. Of note during the quarter. Saint Luke’s opened an expansion for its Mid America Heart Institute, creating 64 new jobs.

On a comparative basis, the strength of the Kansas City metro health care labor market strengthened by just 1% as measured by its Q4 LMPI score of 46.4, slightly lower than the national composite of 52.9.

Q4 Workforce Announcements

Saint Luke’s treats itself with $330M expansion. October 7, 2011
Saint Luke’s Hospital officially opened a 392,000-square-foot expansion, providing a new home for its Mid America Heart Institute and putting the facility in what hospital officials hope is a good position for the future demands of health care reform and changing technology. Although Saint Luke’s hasn’t detailed any cost savings - in fact, changes to its clinical processes and the larger facilities are generating 64 new jobs - the hospital already focuses much of its research on improving patient outcomes and the economy of health care.
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/print-edition/2011/10/07/saint-lukes-treats-itself-with-330m.html?page=all

Previous market news

Hospitals and Health Systems

Source: US News & World Report

Education Program Expansions and Closures

University of Missouri-Kansas City adds emergency medical training. November 23, 2011
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Medicine will begin offering training for emergency medical technicians and paramedics in January.
UMKC said in a Wednesday release that the classes are aimed at helping meet demand for more emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, as well as at introducing first-responder training to its current slate of emergency and community health care education.
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2011/11/23/university-of-missouri-kansas-city.html

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 Kansas City, MO-KS market.

Source: www.census.gov accessed 1/1/2012

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 Kansas City, MO-KS market.

Source: www.bls.gov accessed 1/1/2012

Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market Pulse^TM Index

• U.S. Census Bureau Population 2,002,047, #29 largest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population #182 oldest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 9%, #151 fastest growing market