Trend: Hospital layoffs mounting

As the economy struggles, growing numbers of hospitals across the U.S. are going through layoffs, in an effort to ride out what some have called the most financially-challenging time in decades. The layoffs include not only non-clinical staff members, but also employed doctors.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of November 30, 2008, 107 hospitals had laid off 50 or more employees, the highest number since the BLS began collecting this data. Hospitals that lay off less than 50 people aren't included in this data, but there's no doubt such layoffs are taking place, experts say.

Factors behind the layoffs include rising numbers of uninsured patients, falling Medicare and Medicaid rates, lower hospital cash reserves and reduced access to credit from the battered financial industry.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this AMNews piece

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