NEW STUDY: WHITE MEMORIAL HOSPITALS GENERATE $1.2 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AS L.A. HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET FACES GROWING PRESSURES

Hospitals support 5,500 jobs while serving communities facing significant health, economic and environmental disparities.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As hospitals serving high-need communities face growing financial pressures, a new study finds Adventist Health White Memorial and Adventist Health White Memorial Montebello generate more than $1.2 billion in annual economic activity and support approximately 5,500 jobs across Los Angeles County.

The study, conducted by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), examines the hospitals' roles as healthcare providers, employers, and community anchors. Together, they serve more than 2.4 million residents across their combined primary and secondary service areas.

"This study puts numbers behind something we see every day: Adventist Health White Memorial is deeply woven into the life of the communities we serve," said Daniel Fontoura, President of Adventist Health White Memorial and Adventist Health White Memorial Montebello. "Our impact begins with providing quality, compassionate healthcare, but reaches much further. Protecting this infrastructure is essential to the health and strength of our communities for generations to come."

The findings come at a critical time for the healthcare safety net. Approximately 86% of Adventist Health White Memorial's payor mix comes from Medi-Cal and Medicare, while the communities it serves already face significant barriers to healthcare. In its Primary Service Area, 14.4% of residents are uninsured, nearly twice the Los Angeles County average of 7.6%.

"Community hospitals such as Adventist Health White Memorial are an essential part of our healthcare safety net," said Paul Young, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Hospital Association of Southern California. "They provide trusted care close to home and help ensure that underserved communities are not left behind."

The hospitals' impact also extends throughout the regional economy through purchasing, employee spending, and support for local businesses.

"Adventist Health White Memorial Hospitals support thousands of jobs and generate economic activity that strengthens local businesses and benefits families throughout Los Angeles County," said Maria S. Salinas, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. "Strong healthcare institutions help build strong communities, a thriving workforce and a more resilient regional economy."

Adventist Health White Memorial Foundation is calling on philanthropic partners, community leaders, and other stakeholders to help sustain healthcare access and community investment.

"Safeguarding our communities is a shared responsibility," said Juan De La Cruz, President of Adventist Health White Memorial Foundation Los Angeles & Montebello. "Together, we can protect access to care while building a stronger, more resilient region."

About Adventist Health White Memorial

Adventist Health White Memorial and Adventist Health White Memorial Montebello are nonprofit, faith-based hospitals providing compassionate, whole-person care across Los Angeles County. Together, the hospitals provide more than 545 licensed beds and offer inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty services.

About the Economic Impact Study

The study was conducted by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation's Institute for Applied Economics and evaluates the hospitals' economic and fiscal impact, including direct operations, supply-chain activity, and employee spending, as well as conditions in the communities they serve.

Stephen Chavez, ChavezPR, (310) 486-4104, [email protected] 

SOURCE Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital