Latest news with #EconomicImpact
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia can't afford Medicaid cuts
Guest opinion writer Natalie Crawford argues that proposed Medicaid cuts would hurt everyday Georgians and the state's Georgia, 1 in 10 adults or 2 in 5 children rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage, over 70% of which is federally funded. While Georgia already has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country with 1.2 million of our fellow Georgians living without critical coverage, lawmakers in Congress are right now weighing legislation that includes major changes to Medicaid which would reduce federal investment in the program by an estimated $625 billion. Not only would such reforms increase our already high uninsured rate and threaten Georgians' access to care, but they would also deeply harm our local economies and state, putting pressure on the state budget. Everyday Georgians, including those who don't receive their health care from the program, will ultimately be the ones shouldering the economic burdens caused by federal Medicaid cuts. Depending on the specific type of cut Congress ultimately enacts, Georgia could lose nearly 17,000 jobs, including nearly nine thousand healthcare jobs in 2026 alone. Georgia also potentially stands to lose $578 million in federal Medicaid funding, putting enormous pressure on our state budget, and forcing our state officials to make difficult choices about which programs will continue to get funding, potentially reversing the strides Georgia has made in addressing issues like maternal and infant mortality and mental health. If Congress were to move forward with the House-passed legislation, it's estimated that between 72,000 and 120,000 Georgians could lose Medicaid coverage. And, we know that when more uninsured Georgians show up to hospitals needing medical attention, rates of uncompensated care increase. More uninsured Georgians means that we all will pay more for our health insurance, as premiums will go up when hospitals raise their prices to shift the cost of uncompensated care to those who can pay. These higher premiums also impact Georgia's employers, especially our small business owners, who may have to make the tough choice between cutting employee benefits, reducing wages, or risking financial strain. Property taxes would also likely increase, because local governments rely on them to sustain struggling community hospitals. Included in the House bill is a framework requiring states to implement work requirements for certain groups of Medicaid enrollees, a method Georgia has piloted for the past two years in Georgia Pathways, Georgia's partial Medicaid expansion program, which launched in 2023. With its low enrollment numbers and high administrative costs, Pathways has proven that work requirements are burdensome to the state, the taxpayer, and the enrollee. In Georgia's 2025 renewal application for the Pathways program, the state has requested to decrease the frequency of work reporting requirements because of the administrative burden. Congress right now is proposing to add reporting requirements for Medicaid programs nationally, which goes against everything we've learned in Georgia. The impacts of proposed federal reforms to Medicaid would be felt most acutely by our state's most vulnerable communities. Folks living in rural areas are more likely to be served by Medicaid, and cuts to the program will threaten an essential revenue stream for our rural hospitals, who often rely more heavily on Medicaid reimbursement. Nine rural Georgia hospitals have closed since 2010, and as many as 18 more are now struggling and in danger of closing or dramatically reducing services. Cutting Medicaid may push many of those over the line. Such closures have ripple effects — local businesses will suffer or be forced to relocate when rural hospitals close, leaving thousands of community members without jobs and access to healthcare. As a proud lifelong Republican and former County Commissioner for Habersham County, I have spent decades pushing for fiscally responsible solutions for our state. Cuts to Medicaid are not only fiscally irresponsible, but they could threaten the livelihoods of our fellow Georgians and the economic opportunities that consistently make our great state a top state for business. Unfortunately, there are many influential voices who use divisive rhetoric, misinformation, and fear mongering to cloud the understanding of what the Medicaid program is delivering for our state, and who really benefits from this safety net. Chances are, you know someone who could lose access to their local hospital, their job, or their healthcare coverage as a result of the proposed Medicaid changes. It might surprise you to learn that I used Medicaid insurance as a young mother, which enabled me to have my first child and take care of my family without going into medical debt — or worse. Without it, I likely would not have been able to become a successful FinTech professional and small business owner, or fulfill my call to public service. Medicaid covers 40% of all babies and kids in our state, thousands of seniors in nursing homes and people receiving long-term care, and many hardworking adults like me. Buying into misinformation will lead to policy decisions that hurt our neighbors and our state economy. While Congress is considering harmful cuts, it's essential everyday Georgians be heard. If enough Georgians speak up for the health of our neighbors and our economy, together, a symphony of voices can rise above the noise. Call your representatives — let them know about the negative impacts that Medicaid cuts would have on Georgians like you and me. Remind them that work reporting requirements add costly red tape without improving accountability. Urge your friends, family members, and neighbors to do the same. A vote to cut Medicaid is a vote against the health — and the economic prosperity — of our state and Georgian families. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hospitality Net
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Travel & Tourism Employment in South Africa Set to Hit Record High, But Key Challenges Remain
London, UK - New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed South Africa's Travel & Tourism sector is projected to reach a major milestone this year, set to support more jobs than ever before, but wider data points to a sector still in recovery mode. According to WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), in 2025 Travel & Tourism is forecast to support 1.9 million jobs, surpassing 2019 levels and marking an all-time high, underlining its role as a key employer and major source of opportunity, with the sector accounting for 11.3% of all jobs in South Africa. Domestic visitor spending continues to show stronger resilience, with 2025 total forecast at ZAR 445 billion, 3.8% above 2019 levels. But while employment is set to reach an all-time high and domestic spending continues to grow, Travel &Tourism's contribution to GDP and international visitor spend, continues to lag. Travel & Tourism's total contribution to the economy is projected to reach ZAR 659.8BN, equivalent to 8.9% of national GDP, but still 3.4% shy of the 2019 peak. International visitor spending, while set to grow steadily, is expected to remain below pre pandemic levels at ZAR 128.4BN, trailing 2019 by ZAR 37.7BN South Africa's Travel & Tourism sector is slowly turning the corner. Jobs are leading the recovery, with employment expected to reach new highs, showing the enormous human impact of the sector's growth. As South Africa takes on the G20 Presidency in 2025, it has a unique opportunity to place Travel & Tourism at the heart of its agenda. WTTC is delighted to be working with Minister Patricia de Lille, a truly dynamic Minister, in contributing to the G20 process, including an Investment Summit in September. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO Drawing from 2024 In 2024, WTTC South Africa's Travel & Tourism contributed ZAR 618.7BN to the nation's economy - 9.4% below 2019, whilst the sector employed 1.8MN people. International visitor spending reached ZAR 116.5BN, whilst domestic spending hit ZAR430BN. A Decade of Opportunity WTTC believes that with the right national priorities, strengthened public-private collaboration under the powerful leadership of Minister Patricia de Lille, South Africa can unlock a new era of unprecedented growth. The global tourism body forecasts strong momentum through 2035, with Travel & Tourism adding an additional 620,000 new jobs, reaching a total of 2.6MN – 13.8% of the country's workforce. The sector's economic contribution could grow to ZAR 911.7BN, representing a 10.3% share of GDP. For more information and to access the full factsheet, including WTTC's latest Environmental Social Research (ESR), please visit WTTC's Research Hub. All figures given in ZAR About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. WTTC Press Office WTTC View source
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DesignRush Selects the Leading Digital Marketing Companies in May 2025
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 23, 2025) - As online competition intensifies, effective use of digital channels is critical for growth. According to Google's Economic Impact report, businesses typically earn $2 for every $1 spent on Google Ads. This continues to make digital advertising a high-impact strategy for modern businesses. To help brands maximize this potential, B2B marketplace DesignRush has identified the leading marketing firms that deliver targeted, data-driven digital campaigns. These agencies specialize in helping businesses capture the right audience, boost conversions, and scale performance across platforms. The top digital marketing companies in May are: Humble Digital Agency - The Fields Agency - Hero Digital Marketing Agency - High Quality Ads & Media - MazhWeb Digital - Clicks4Grow - AlgoSaga - DigiGenX - Bahia Brand Marketing - KP Innovations - Digital Ignite - AMSDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA SERVICES PVT LTD - Creative Marketing Workshop, LLC - Ecodians Tech Innovators - DiPuzzle - Simply Co - Boutique für digitale Kommunikation - Make It With Jam - Cronboost - Calectia Digital Marketing Agency, LLC - NYMO & Co - Content Station - Time to Market - Seventy Seven Collective - Bright Nation - Good At Marketing - Digi Align - BRANDIFIED. - Click Track Marketing - Outplay Marketing - Brands can explore the top digital marketing companies by location, size, average hourly rate, and portfolio - all on DesignRush. About DesignRush is a B2B marketplace and media platform connecting businesses with agencies through expert reviews and agency ranking lists, awards, knowledge resources, and personalized agency recommendations for vetted projects. Media Contact Lensey Etcubañas lensey@ +1 305-370-1017 To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cherokee Nation injects over $3.1 billion into Oklahoma economy
TULSA, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation pumped more than $281 million into the far corner of the state, in Craig, Delaware, and Ottawa counties. The Tribe released its annual report, which shows that it continually expands its economic footprint through employment, labor income, and production of goods and services, adding more than $3.1 billion annually to the Oklahoma economy. The Economic Impact Group, an Oklahoma City-based research team, said the tribe is also one of the largest producers, employers, income providers, and purchasers of regional production in northeast Oklahoma. The total economic output in Ottawa County is nearly $14.1 million, with 114 jobs and $11.4 million in labor income. Craig County's total economic impact is nearly $25.1 million, with 477 jobs, and nearly $23.3 million in labor income. Cherokee Nation's total economic output in Delaware County is nearly $242.2 million, with 1,082 jobs, and $54.7 million in labor income. 'Cherokee Nation's economic impact is more than dollars and data.' Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. Hoskin said it reflects the Tribe's deep commitment to the prosperity of the Cherokee people and the communities we call home. During 2023, the fiscal year studied by the economists, the tribe continued its longtime support of increasing education in Oklahoma. The tribal government provided $17.5 million in scholarships to students pursuing higher education, ensured more than 1,300 Native Americans received vocational training and educational assistance, and provided $7.8 million in contributions of car tag revenues to public schools across northeast Oklahoma. Cherokee Nation also invested $7.4 million to build or expand its child development centers, provided food vouchers to over 10,000 children during summer, and distributed clothing to over 74,000 school-aged children. 'In addition to illustrating where our dollars go across the reservation and how those investments ripple through our communities, this report reminds us just how far each dollar reaches — creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and building a better future for all,' said Hoskin. Cherokee Nation directly and indirectly supports more than 23,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in wages and benefits annually. The tribal government and its businesses purchase more than $536 million in goods and services from local vendors and small businesses in northeast Oklahoma. Economic Impact Group Report Cherokee Nation, the largest sovereign tribal government in the country, provides a wide range of services, including health care, career services, human services, education, and housing. 'Cherokee Nation's $3.1 billion impact is a direct reflection of their roots in northeastern Oklahoma, where they support local businesses through vendor purchases and local communities through grants and economic development partnerships, as well as provide local labor markets with a steady demand for workers,' said Russell Evans, founding partner of the Economic Impact Group. Cherokee Nation funds received through the American Rescue Relief Plan Act generated an additional $189 million impact in Oklahoma. These funds were issued directly to citizens needing hardship assistance or provided to significant programs, including housing construction, community grants, community buildings, employment and vocational training, cultural and language support, first responder efforts, and other priorities. Evans said the nation's strategic use of one-time federal recovery funds is designed to create an additional long-term impact on the region, ensuring even deeper roots and stronger connections for years to come. Cherokee Nation Businesses has contributed $1.2 billion to the tribe over the last decade, paid as a cash dividend supporting vital tribal services and programs. Additionally, gaming at Cherokee Nation casinos has resulted in the tribe paying the state more than $500 million in compact fees since 2005. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
