Policy makers' attempts at controlling health care costs, which will limit growth in the health care industry, should also include some thinking about an alternative economic development plan for the state. Health care remains one of the only sources of economic growth in the state, particularly during this recession.
While NH continues to shed jobs, not all industries are experiencing workforce declines. As can be seen in the figure below, New Hampshire has lost almost 12,000 jobs in the manufacturing and construction industries. Health care, including hospitals, ambulatory health care and other health care and social assistance have seen a net increase in jobs between April 2008 and April 2009.
More information developed by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies on health care and economic growth can be found here.
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