In November 2024, the Northwest Arkansas Council and Heartland Whole Health Institute released “Northwest Arkansas Health Care Vision 2030: Continuing the Transformation,” a report conducted by Tripp Umbach, outlining progress and future goals to transform health care in the region. 

Since the creation of the Health Care Transformation Division in 2019, Northwest Arkansas achieved significant milestones, including reducing patient outmigration from nearly $1 billion in 2018 to $695 million in 2023. Investments totaling $529.5 million have laid the foundation for future growth. The health care sector has become a major economic driver, with its gross regional product (GRP) increasing by 80% from 2018 to 2023, outpacing the overall regional economic growth of 37%. Estimated projections indicate the sector could reach $6.1 billion by 2030, representing a 144% growth rate​, according to Tripp Umbach. 

Given that Washington and Benton counties surpassed 590,000 residents in 2024 and estimated projections show a population of over 1 million by 2050, the strain on healthcare services will continue to grow. 

The Vision 2030 report outlines a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen Northwest Arkansas’ health care system, ensuring it meets the needs of a rapidly growing population while positioning the region as a national model for excellence in health care delivery. 

Learn more here.