Healthcare Continues Strong Job Growth

Job growth in the healthcare sector for the first month of 2012 continued the robust pace that was set throughout 2011, new federal data shows.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data reports that the healthcare sector created 30,900 jobs in January, including 12,900 jobs in ambulatory services, and 12,700 jobs in hospitals.

J.D. Kleinke, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, says healthcare job growth continues—in great part—because healthcare spending continues. He dismissed recent arguments suggesting that healthcare costs had declined. In fact, Kleinke says, the costs continue to grow but at a slower rate.

"I can tell you exactly what is going on. It's not that complicated. The healthcare economy is recession proof," Kleinke told HealthLeaders Media. "There is no reduction in healthcare costs. There is a reduction in the rate of growth. So, jobs are always going to get created in healthcare because healthcare costs are always going to go up."

"Increasing costs in healthcare is a sign of a society that is taking care of higher-order problems, like curing cancer, dealing with depression, or lifestyle—we want to look perfect and have perfect children," he says. "All of that stuff is inflationary. This country will never feel healthy enough. That's another reason why healthcare is recession proof."