Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: A Healthier Georgia Means a Stronger Economy

When people think about Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), they naturally think about exceptional care for children. But a new Georgia Tech economic impact report shows that Children’s is also one of Georgia’s most important economic engines.

According to the report, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta generates more than $6.1 billion in annual economic output, supporting businesses, jobs, and communities across the state.

That impact reaches far beyond the hospital.

Every day, Children’s invests approximately $7.5 million to provide specialized pediatric care, support highly skilled medical teams, operate advanced facilities, and expand access to healthcare for families throughout Georgia. Those investments ripple through the state’s economy, supporting suppliers, local businesses, and thousands of jobs.

The report found that Children’s supports approximately 30,000 jobs statewide, including its own workforce of more than 12,000 employees. Every job at Children’s supports another 1.46 jobs elsewhere in Georgia’s economy.

For Georgia’s business community, access to high-quality pediatric healthcare is more than a healthcare issue—it’s a workforce issue.

When families can receive specialized care without leaving the state, employers are better able to retain talent, reduce disruptions for working parents, and strengthen the communities where their employees live and work.

That commitment is now even closer to home. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recently opened its Adamsville neighborhood location, expanding access to comprehensive pediatric care in an area that has historically experienced limited healthcare resources. The new facility makes it easier for families to receive ongoing care closer to home while strengthening the health infrastructure that supports our region.

Children’s also serves as Georgia’s only provider for many specialized pediatric treatments. Without Children’s, an estimated 55% of patients requiring specialized care would need to leave Georgia, taking an estimated 16,500 jobs and $3.4 billion in economic activity with them.

The organization’s commitment extends beyond its hospitals.

Each year, Children’s provides approximately $360 million in unreimbursed or subsidized care, with more than half of its patients receiving financial assistance or relying on Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, or other support programs.

Children’s is also helping expand pediatric care throughout Georgia by partnering with 28 rural hospitals and supporting 37 scholarships through Mercer University School of Medicine to train pediatricians who will serve rural communities.

Approximately one in six children in Georgia receives care through Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta each year, making its impact both personal and statewide.

As Georgia continues to grow, investments in healthcare are also investments in economic competitiveness. Strong communities depend on healthy families, and healthy families help create the workforce businesses need to thrive.

The Greater South Fulton Chamber is proud to recognize Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for its investment in the health of Georgia’s children and the strength of our regional economy.