Feeling the pinch, hospital cuts 180 positions

Sussex — Saint Clare’s Health System has instituted a workforce reduction as well as a variety of other measures to reduce expenses. Of Saint Clare’s 3,500 employees, approximately 180 full time positions will be eliminated. This will be accomplished through attrition, “productivity improvements” and approximately 100 layoffs already announced, according to a press release. The health system also says: “These reductions will not have a direct impact on patient care. Affected employees will receive separation packages, based on years of service and employment status. Transition assistance will also be provided to impacted employees.” Difficult decisions Leo Hirsch, Saint Clare’s Health System president and CEO, noted that it wasn’t easy to take these measures. “After much deliberation, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions and changes to improve our financial health. It’s no secret that many industries are feeling the strain of the country’s current economic downturn. This is especially true for hospitals across the country, but even more so for hospitals in New Jersey.” “We lack adequate public funding for charity care and other government sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. This year the state budget removed over $120 million in charity care and other hospital funding. Saint Clare’s share of these funding cuts was $3.2 million.”