The purpose of the study was to understand the overall economic contribution of MaineGeneral to the regional economy and then estimate the potential economic impact of a proposed reconfiguration and consolidation of a specific set of services to a new location in Augusta. Three primary data collection efforts informed the assessment: MaineGeneral's spending data by origin and location of vendor, a web-based employee household expenditure survey and an analysis of employee commuting patterns. The analysis explains the impact of the proposal in the context of anticipated changes in the level of employee spending and of health-system spending including operating-cost savings as well as capital investments in a new facility.

Central Maine is currently served by two medical centers: MaineGeneral Medical Center and Inland Hospital. MaineGeneral, a 287-bed medical center, is comprised of four primary campuses including the Seton and Thayer campuses in Waterville and the MaineGeneral Medical Center and the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta. MaineGeneral has revenues of over $320 million and payroll of more than $138 million for over 3,500 employees. It serves people from over 80 municipalities and has more than 60 office locations in 9 towns. Inland Hospital, a 48-bed hospital, is located on a single campus in Waterville and serves the surrounding area. These hospitals, like most in poorer, rural areas, not only provide important medical services, but serve as major employers in the area and are important contributors to the local economy.