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Boston Medical Center Plans More Job Cuts

After eliminating 119 jobs last September, Boston Medical Center announces there will be a new round of job cuts this spring, The Boston Globe reports.

The safety-net hospital, which serves a large population of low-income city residents, widened its operating loss to $25.7 million for the year ending Sept. 30, compared with a $24.5 million deficit during the previous 12 months. Officials blamed the downturn on reductions in payments by government insurers and private health plans.

Members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents about 600 nurses at Boston Medical, were scheduled to meet last night after being notified that the South End hospital was proposing to shed 60 to 70 jobs and move an intensive care unit from its East Newton Street to its Harrison Avenue wing, according to union leaders.

David Schildmeier, a spokesman for the state Nurses Association said in an email: "We have serious concerns about the impact of these cuts on the community and Greater Boston. These cuts, if they are ultimately approved and go through, would result in a net loss of 36 beds, which means less access to care, not only at BMC, but throughout the city. We are meeting with management to convince them of taking an alternative approach that is in the best interests of patients, nurses and the community."

This program aired on March 16, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

Headshot of Rachel Zimmerman

Rachel Zimmerman Reporter
Rachel Zimmerman previously reported on health and the intersection of health and business for WBUR. She is working on a memoir about rebuilding her family after her husband’s suicide. 

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