About Us
Since 1933, IHA has been providing voice, value and visibility for Idaho’s community hospitals. A statewide, nonprofit association, IHA brings hospital and healthcare leaders together in pursuit of quality healthcare across Idaho. IHA strives to offer members valued resources and services in many areas, including: federal and state policy development and advocacy; quality and patient safety; data analytics; and workforce development.
Economic Impact
Hospitals, at their core, serve as vital pillars of community health and well-being, offering critical care, responding to emergencies, and fostering ongoing health education. Often, their significance goes unnoticed until individuals face a medical crisis or diagnosis.
Beyond immediate healthcare functions, hospitals in Idaho play a pivotal role as economic engines, providing employment opportunities across various career paths. Yet, their impact goes beyond job creation. Economists gauge their influence by examining how they attract new funds into the local economy and the subsequent ripple effects of spending.
By exploring both direct expenditures and the downstream effects on services, sales, payrolls, jobs, and taxes, economists develop multipliers unique to the healthcare industry and the local economy. These multipliers quantify the total economic impact, accounting for direct and indirect effects.
In Idaho, hospitals’ economic contributions are substantial, generating over $10.5 billion in economic activity. For every healthcare job, they create additional jobs, promoting employment growth beyond their immediate influence. This activity not only supports jobs outside the hospital sector but also impacts state and local tax revenues and stimulates the purchase of goods and services within the community.
Advocacy & Policy
IHA brings voice, value and visibility to the legislative and regulatory arenas to ensure quality healthcare for Idahoans. As a trusted and credible resource on healthcare, IHA advocates for policies that improve access and quality. We strive to provide legislators and policymakers with the critical data and information they need to make informed decisions affecting their constituent