Dive Brief:
- The health care industry added over 19,000 jobs in April, including 1,700 jobs from hospitals, according to the most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The biggest growth in health care last month was in ambulatory health care services, with physician offices adding 5,600 jobs, outpatient care centers contributing 3,500 new jobs and home health care services growing by 2,500 jobs, according to Becker's Hospital Review.
- April was the second consecutive month hospitals gained jobs this year, Becker's reports.
Dive Insight:
While Becker's doesn't speculate as to why health care industry job growth took place, it's logical to conclude that the growth parallels that seen as a result of ACA enrollees by the health insurance industry. It's worth noting that the hospital industry is perhaps the weakest of the sectors outlined, with several hospitals announcing layoffs or buyouts this week. Let's see whether factors that had been such a shot in the arm for the insurance industry will continue to buoy up other health care sectors.