Rush Health Systems announced last week that it will be cutting its personnel by 4 percent.
Hospital officials declined to comment via phone last week, but it issued a prepared statement by Scott Vincent, Rush Health Systems human resources director.
“Our health system and all healthcare providers nationwide are facing extreme budgetary challenges as a result of decreased reimbursement from all those who pay us, especially governmental health plans such as Medicare and Medicaid,” Vincent said in the statement. “In order to deal with a shortfall of revenue, we have to dramatically reduce our expenses in order to continue to provide quality care to the people of this region.”
Rush Health Systems also owns Laird Hospital in Union along with several doctor’s offices in Newton County. The release did not indicate how those operations would be affected.
Vincent said employees will be offered an early retirement option, and they plan to not fill positions as they become open. Officials hope said as a last resort they would consider “reduction in staff via a position reduction.”
“We understand that it is very difficult for anyone to lose their job,” Vincent said. “Our leadership postponed making staff reductions as long as possible. Every effort has been made to eliminate those positions which will least impact patient care. Our Human Resources Department is working with those whose positions are being eliminated to assist them in finding positions within the health system and within the community.
“As the area’s largest non-governmental employer, Rush Health Systems is committed to continuing to provide quality care and service. We owe it to the community we have served for over 100 years to maintain a solid foundation that will overcome the extraordinary financial challenges we are facing today.” provide quality care to the people of this region.”
Rush Health Systems also owns Laird Hospital in Union along with several doctor’s offices in Newton County. The release did not indicate how those operations would be affected.
Vincent said employees will be offered an early retirement option, and they plan to not fill positions as they become open. Officials hope said as a last resort they would consider “reduction in staff via a position reduction.”
“We understand that it is very difficult for anyone to lose their job,” Vincent said. “Our leadership postponed making staff reductions as long as possible. Every effort has been made to eliminate those positions which will least impact patient care. Our Human Resources Department is working with those whose positions are being eliminated to assist them in finding positions within the health system and within the community.
“As the area’s largest non-governmental employer, Rush Health Systems is committed to continuing to provide quality care and service. We owe it to the community we have served for over 100 years to maintain a solid foundation that will overcome the extraordinary financial challenges we are facing today.”
