A 50-state analysis of the country's skilled nursing sector and its impact on federal and state economies reveals that New York State ranks first in the country in nursing facility-generated economic activity and employment.
The analysis, part of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care's "Care Context" series of health policy analyses created with help from the Washington, D.C.-based health advisory firm, Avalere Health, shows that New York generates $21.35 billion annually in economic activity associated with nursing facilities and creates 197,414 jobs related to nursing facilities. After hospitals, the skilled nursing sector in New York is the state's second largest health facility employer.
The Washington, D.C.-based alliance's analysis report emphasizes that federal and state budget cuts to Medicaid and Medicare would jeopardize one of New York State's largest employers and economic generators.
"When considering budgetary policy for FY 2012, we want to ensure the New York congressional delegation appreciates the considerable positive impact of skilled nursing facilities on the state's economy, and that achieving Medicare funding stability in Washington has a significant positive impact on local economic activity and jobs," said Alan G. Rosenbloom, the alliance's president, in a press release. "Medicare is more than a key national health program; it serves as a cornerstone of rural, suburban and urban economic vitality throughout New York State."
The alliance's analysis of the country's skilled nursing sector found that it accounts for 1.7 million jobs with an impact of more than $201 billion on U.S. economic activity.
See next page for 10 states with the highest number of nursing facility jobs.
The chart below shows the 10 states with the highest number of nursing facility jobs, the number of jobs generated by nursing facilities and the economic impact on the state's economy:
| State | NF Jobs | Total NF-Generated Jobs | Total NF-Generated Econ Activity |
| NY | 141,151 | 197,414 | $21.35 Billion |
| CA | 117,090 | 179,300 | $17.86 Billion |
| OH | 106,356 | 162,863 | $13.13 Billion |
| TX | 98,700 | 154,673 | $12.73 Billion |
| FL | 95,007 | 145,114 | $11.63 Billion |
| PA | 82,737 | 129,864 | $11.76 Billion |
| IL | 79,458 | 120,991 | $10.72 Billion |
| MA | 59,812 | 88,791 | $7.83 Billion |
| NJ | 53,806 | 81,823 | $9.83 Billion |
| MN | 51,159 | 72,917 | $3.37 Billion |