MCG Health, Inc. and MCG each Contribute More Than $700 Million to Georgia's Economy

Augusta, Ga. -- MCG Health, Inc. and the Medical College of Georgia each contributed more than $700 million to local and state economies in 2001, according to recent economic impact reports.

As indicated in the Georgia Hospital Association's Economic Impact Report for calendar year 2001, MCG hospitals and clinics contributed $777 million to local and state economies. The Medical College of Georgia contributed an additional $716 million to the area's economy, according to the latest economic impact report commissioned by the University System of Georgia for the fiscal year that ended June 2001.

"Not only is MCG Health System taking a lead in quality health care," said Don Snell, President and CEO of MCG Health, Inc., "but we are also providing a definitive economic impact to the state of Georgia. We are pleased to be able to support the economic viability of our area and improve the lives of hundreds of citizens in our community. These numbers demonstrate our commitment to all our customers-both patients and those in the health care industry with whom we are partnered."

"Our university and its health system are expanding in many important directions that will enhance our tripartite mission of education, discovery and service," said Dr. Daniel W. Rahn, president of the Medical College of Georgia. "We are expanding research and clinical initiatives in diabetes, cancer, neurological diseases, cardiovascular disease and other major areas of importance to the citizens of this region, this state and this nation."

Economic impact is defined as actual dollar expenditures, household earnings and employment and also takes into account the "ripple" effect such expenditures will produce throughout the economy as a whole.

MCG Health, Inc.'s total expenditures for fiscal year 2001 were $297 million. The Medical College of Georgia operates on a $369 million annual budget.

MCG Health System is composed of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.

MCG is the state's health sciences university with schools of Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Studies, Medicine and Nursing.