Medicaid keeps people healthy. By preventing illness, managing chronic disease and providing rehabilitative services to millions of people, Medicaid is a low-cost investment in our nation’s workforce and economy. Safety net providers not only provide care to the most vulnerable, but inject economic life into their communities. NAPH hospitals create jobs; purchase services, supplies and equipment from vendors; and train doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. In FY 2009, NAPH members contributed more than 800,000 jobs nationally and had an impact on their respective state economies totaling $120 billion. As the nation struggles through the current economic downturn, safety net hospitals are an integral part of keeping communities healthy and Americans working.