Cleveland health systems grow in tough economy

A privately funded study shows that area health systems continue to expand despite the tough economic conditions.

A study funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (linked here) reported that growth in the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals/Case Medical Center are driving a large segment of the local economy during this period of economic weakness.

The researchers at the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) involved over 45 interviews of clinical, business, political and public stakeholders involved in medical care, insurance, economics and public health. The area of the study was wide, including Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina, Lake and Geauga counties.

The report provided census, economic, hosptal utilization and health indicators of the Cleveland area and region.  Such a report bodes well for the expansion of the region in terms of medical service, research, and commerce, bolstering proponents of the Medical Mart and Convention Center expansion.

The press release by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the report are available by clicking the colored text (linked).