Hospitals reveals health of local economy with layoffs
The Associated Press article titled Survey: Tennessee hospitals cutting staff, services, that I gave a link to in a post on this blog on December 30, 2008, showed that the health care industry also was being affected by the economy.
Also, on the same day, the Kingsport Times-News, WJHL TV, and Bristol Herald Courier, all gave positive reports concerning the health of the local healthcare industry in the Kingsport, Tennessee area.
A little over two week later, both Wellmont and Mountain States Health Alliance announce a total of 195 people that will lose their jobs. Now, it comes out that the local medical industry had been experiencing a slow down in “flat inpatient volumes and declining emergency department visits.“ It appears the the public relations departments had been putting their “spin” on this issue.
It is indeed a sad picture for the local economy when folks cannot afford to get medical treatment while the City of Kingsport continues it’s luxury spending spree.
The City of Kingsport continues to throw salt into the wound by bragging about how great the city is doing while everyone else is suffering. They even refused to give back the 1/4 cent regional sales tax back to the people once it had served it’s purpose by paying off the current Meadowview Convention Center.
Tennessee Hospitals Making Cuts Due To Economy, But Not MSHA or Wellmont
Published: December 30, 2008
Hospitals across Tennessee are cutting jobs, but not Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System. The Tennessee Hospital Association says 43 of the 82 hospitals that responded to a recent survey admitted to already cutting staff. Most of the rest are considering cuts, according to THA.
Hospital Systems Cut Non-Clinic Payrolls
Published: January 17, 2009
The nation’s economic downturn claimed two more victims Friday when Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance announced a combined 195 layoffs.
All positions eliminated are non-clinic, meaning they do not include physicians, nurses or caregivers.