Hillcrest Healthcare System Announces Layoffs, Cites Healthcare Reform

Hillcrest Healthcare System says it is laying off up to 50 people and it's blaming Oklahoma's decision not to participate in the federal Medicaid expansion provision of the Affordable Care Act.

Hillcrest confirmed Tuesday evening that all the jobs cut are administrative positions and the vast majority of those affected have already been notified.

St. John made a similar announcement back in May, saying it may need to lay off two to three percent of its workforce.

The hospital said the federal government reduced Medicare payments to help pay for the expansion of the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act, but Oklahoma opted out. That meant the hospital would lose millions in Medicaid reimbursements.

9/1/2013 Related Story: Hillcrest HealthCare Purchases SouthCrest, Claremore Hospitals

5/21/2013 Related Story: St. John Health System To Lay Off 2 To 3 Percent Of Workforce