Business
Number of government hospital, health employees increases
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 9, 2009
Government payrolls expanded in 2008, in part due to increases in full-time health and hospital jobs, according to reports issued by the U.S. Census Bureau Oct. 26.
The agency surveyed state and local governments in March 2008. Federal agencies were queried in December 2008.
The number of full-time federal health workers went up 6.9% from 130,952 in 2007 to 140,026 in 2008. State and local health jobs grew 3% from 401,899 to 414,114.
The figures for federal hospitals grew 10.3% from 156,756 in 2007 to 172,921 in 2008. State and local government hospital employment expanded 0.8% from 876,009 to 883,133.
This survey did not explore reasons for the growth. Projections also are not available for what these numbers might look like in 2009, although many government agencies recently announced layoffs or other staff reductions.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/09/bibf1109.htm.
