Business Notebook: Hospitals added $19 billion to Missouri economy in 2012, report says

A University of Missouri report for the Missouri Hospital Association found that hospitals' investments in employees and capital in 2012 added more than $19 billion to Missouri's economy, according to a news release from the Missouri Hospital Association.

The 155 hospitals in Missouri employ nearly 153,000 full- and part-time people, the release said, and employees earned about $7.5 billion in wages and received $1.9 billion in benefits in 2012.

About 141,000 jobs were generated by the "indirect and induced effects of hospital employment," according to the release.

"Hospitals' contributions to local and state economies were significant throughout the recession and continued to underpin the state's recovery in 2012," said Herb Kuhn, Missouri Hospital Association president and CEO, in the release.

However, significant cuts to hospitals through the Affordable Care Act, sequestration and other policies -- with the absence of Medicaid reform -- have decreased reimbursement for hospital services, Kuhn said. "This may result in reduced investments by the hospital sector, workforce reductions and cost shifting, which could weaken the state's recovery."

Kander warns of misleading letters sent to Mo. businesses

Letters mailed in green envelopes to Missouri business owners that are titled "Annual Records Solicitation Forms" falsely suggest Missouri law requires businesses to pay a $125 fee, according to a news release from the office of Secretary of State Jason Kander.

The letters are mailed from Corporate Records Service, a Michigan-based entity that has a history of misleading business owners, the release said. Any official correspondence from Kander's office would contain the Missouri state seal and official contact information.

"Missourians should know the letters from Corporate Records Service are not affiliated with any state agency. … Business owners are not required to file annual minutes with Kander's office, and are not required to pay fees to companies like Corporate Records Service to comply with Missouri law," the release said.

Those who receive the mailer are encouraged to report their experience to Kander's office by calling 1-866-223-6535.

Grace Reliant Health Services receives accreditation

Grace Reliant Health Services was awarded accreditation under the Community Health Accreditation Program Home Health Standards of Excellence, according to a news release from Grace Reliant Health Services.

Grace Reliant Health Services provides services to patients and their families in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Stoddard and Perry counties in Missouri, the release said. This is the first year it has been awarded the accreditation.

CHAP is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting body for community-based health-care organizations, according to the release. Its accreditation means Grace Reliant Health Services met the industry's highest nationally recognized standards.

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