Home Health Continues to Generate Jobs for America

News provided by

Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare

Jun 04, 2012, 04:02 ET

- Latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report reveals home health as a bright spot in what is considered an otherwise disappointing job market -

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its May jobs report indicating that the economy added 69,000 jobs in the month of May. BLS also reported that the nation's unemployment rate has risen to 8.2 percent, up from 8.1 percent.

Importantly, the BLS report also showed an uptick in healthcare jobs, particularly in the area of home health services. According to the report, home healthcare generated 6,900 of the total 69,000 non-farm jobs added between April 2012 and May 2012. The home healthcare number – which is equal to 10 percent of all jobs created in May – also represents the largest non-physician office job growth in BLS' analysis of the healthcare sector.

As was seen in April, with a report issued by the Department of Labor (DOL), the home health community has consistently served as an engine for job growth. In light of the nation's economic challenges, the ability of the home health sector to create employment opportunities is of significance. Just as important, these positions are meeting the need of America's aging population, which is increasingly demanding home-based medical services due to their clinical effectiveness, low cost, and personal preference.

"Although the overall job report for May was ultimately disappointing, it is reassuring to know that the home health community continues to be a driver for employment," stated Eric Berger on behalf of the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare. "Home healthcare has long been appreciated as clinically advanced, cost effective, and patient preferred, and it is now being recognized as a meaningful source of jobs."

"Research shows the nearly 90 percent of Americans prefer to age in place – home healthcare enables them to do so while providing quality jobs for younger generations," Mr. Berger concluded.

The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare was established in 2010 to assist government officials in ensuring access to quality home health services for all Americans. Representing more than 1,500 community- and hospital-based home health agencies nationwide, the Partnership is dedicated to developing innovative reforms to improve the program integrity, quality, and efficiency of home healthcare for our nation's seniors. To learn more, visit www.homehealth4america.org. To join the home health policy conversation, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog.

SOURCE Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare