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report released by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) on March 23, 2011, found that physicians play a key role in strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy by creating jobs, purchasing goods and services, and generating tax revenue that supports community programs.
“Our focus is always the better health of Pennsylvania patients, and in the past, other studies like those by the Institute for Good Medicine at PAMED have shown the millions of dollars our members provide in charitable care,” said Ralph Schmeltz, MD, president of PAMED. “Now, this new AMA study provides yet another example of the benefits to communities of robust physician practices, specifically jobs and business opportunities for others.”
The report demonstrates the vital role that physicians play in supporting the economic growth in their communities. In 2009, office-based physicians in Pennsylvania supported nearly 170,000 jobs and contributed $44.7 billion in economic activity. Office-based physicians across the state also supported $28.3 billion in wages and benefits.
While supporting the state’s economy is an important role, physicians continue to give back to their communities by providing millions of dollars of charitable care to Pennsylvania patients.