Mass. Hospital Group Announces Job, Service Cuts

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A Cambridge-based hospital group wants to cut services and about 300 jobs as it deals with a multi-million dollar budget deficit.

The Cambridge Health Alliance proposal released Wednesday requires state approval.

The group runs hospitals in Everett, Somerville and Cambridge and provides 199 beds for substance abuse and mental health services.

After spending and hiring freezes in fiscal year 2008, the alliance adopted a 2009 budget with a $22.5 million deficit, believing it could reduce costs and balance the budget by 2010.

That plan was derailed by the economic crisis and a drop in state funding.

The job cuts are about 8 percent of its work force. Other steps include merging six primary care locations into other health centers and closing the inpatient pediatric unit at The Cambridge Hospital.