State Sen. Jack Hill visited Effingham Health System on Dec. 23 to receive a donation from the Georgia Hospital Association.

Georgia hospitals generated more than $38.6 billion for their local and state economies in 2011, and accounted for almost 7 percent of the state’s gross domestic product in 2010. More than 124,000 people are directly employed by Georgia’s hospitals, and another 238,000 jobs exist as a result of the goods and services needed to provide patient care.

“We appreciate Senator Hill’s understanding of health care issues and the challenges that lie ahead for Georgia hospitals,” said Norma Jean Morgan, CEO for Effingham Health System.