Nurses laid off - Thanks to Obamacare

Nurses Activism

Published

nurses are laid off, salaries decreased and vacant positions eliminated thanks to obamacare..tsk3..

read here: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/m...tory?track=rss

just in case the link expires::

Blue Mountain Health System announced Tuesday it has laid off 16 workers and reduced the hours of seven others due in part to Obamacare.

In addition, the health system-which includes Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital and The Summit Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lehighton, and Palmerton Hospital in Palmerton-has eliminated 13 vacant positions, the company announced in a news release. Senior management and department directors will have their salaries reduced by 5 to 7 percent.

"A major contributing factor for the reduction in the workforce is due to the Affordable Care Act," the company said in the release.

The release noted that to receive a $3 million federal subsidy, the health system would have to spend $5 million on information-technology and electronic-records mandates under Obamacare. "That $2 million difference hit the health system's bottom line this past fiscal year," the release said.

A reduction in Medicare reimbursements this year and a decrease in admissions also have affected the system's finances, along with an increase in employee health insurance expenses, the release noted.

"We always need to look at our staffing levels in response to our patient volume," President and CEO Andrew E. Harris said in the release. "This was not an easy decision, but we need to respond to our decreased patient volume as well as the financial constraints that many other hospitals are also experiencing."

Fifteen of the laid-off workers are full time, the release said. It did not say what positions those workers held or where they worked. In addition to its three facilities, Blue Mountain Health System also runs numerous outpatient service centers

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, BURNS, TRAUMA, TRANSPORT, HH.
just in case the link expires::

Blue Mountain Health System announced Tuesday it has laid off 16 workers and reduced the hours of seven others due in part to Obamacare.

In addition, the health system — which includes Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital and The Summit Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lehighton, and Palmerton Hospital in Palmerton — has eliminated 13 vacant positions, the company announced in a news release. Senior management and department directors will have their salaries reduced by 5 to 7 percent.

"A major contributing factor for the reduction in the workforce is due to the Affordable Care Act," the company said in the release.

The release noted that to receive a $3 million federal subsidy, the health system would have to spend $5 million on information-technology and electronic-records mandates under Obamacare. "That $2 million difference hit the health system's bottom line this past fiscal year," the release said.

A reduction in Medicare reimbursements this year and a decrease in admissions also have affected the system's finances, along with an increase in employee health insurance expenses, the release noted.

"We always need to look at our staffing levels in response to our patient volume," President and CEO Andrew E. Harris said in the release. "This was not an easy decision, but we need to respond to our decreased patient volume as well as the financial constraints that many other hospitals are also experiencing."

Fifteen of the laid-off workers are full time, the release said. It did not say what positions those workers held or where they worked. In addition to its three facilities, Blue Mountain Health System also runs numerous outpatient service centers

blah, blah, blah...

Blue Mountain Health System pays it executive lots of $$ and bonus $$ to keep the purse strings tight. It is easy for they to demonize ACA because so many will believe it without any second thought.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Amy, just because they say it doesn't make it true, no matter how much you may wish it to be so. Reread, It says "in part" , and the electronic med recs was already required---not Obama's issue.

just in case the link expires::

Blue Mountain Health System announced Tuesday it has laid off 16 workers and reduced the hours of seven others due in part to Obamacare.

In addition, the health system — which includes Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital and The Summit Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lehighton, and Palmerton Hospital in Palmerton — has eliminated 13 vacant positions, the company announced in a news release. Senior management and department directors will have their salaries reduced by 5 to 7 percent.

"A major contributing factor for the reduction in the workforce is due to the Affordable Care Act," the company said in the release.

The release noted that to receive a $3 million federal subsidy, the health system would have to spend $5 million on information-technology and electronic-records mandates under Obamacare. "That $2 million difference hit the health system's bottom line this past fiscal year," the release said.

A reduction in Medicare reimbursements this year and a decrease in admissions also have affected the system's finances, along with an increase in employee health insurance expenses, the release noted.

"We always need to look at our staffing levels in response to our patient volume," President and CEO Andrew E. Harris said in the release. "This was not an easy decision, but we need to respond to our decreased patient volume as well as the financial constraints that many other hospitals are also experiencing."

Fifteen of the laid-off workers are full time, the release said. It did not say what positions those workers held or where they worked. In addition to its three facilities, Blue Mountain Health System also runs numerous outpatient service centers

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP, ONP.
I live in an FHA funded housing apt. Since the new government regulations have taken effect, we (all seniors and disabled people who live on fixed incomes) are now being charged for anything that's damaged. My dishwasher panel (a tiny strip that comes with adhesive on the back of it) was replaced today. I have been charged $36.81 for that thing. Here we are, the poor people now paying for items we did't have to pay for in the past since this president took office all because a budget hasn't yet been put in place. :madface: I can't stand Mr Obama or his wife. The sooner they get out the better.

Yes, because Mitt "47%" Romney was oh so totally going to not only fix your stuff for freesies, he probably would have upgraded you to all new top of the line stainless steel matchy match appliances, and filled your new freezer with steaks and lobsters. Oh wait...um, no.

Where did you even get the idea it ever should have been free in the first place? Good grief. Of course you should have to pay for your tiny strip that comes with adhesive on the back. It is yours, it's in your apartment. What the heck? If I want a tiny strip that comes with adhesive on the back I'd have to pay for it too. duh.

And here is what really REALLY confuses the heck out of me.

Why, pray tell, ought you to have free tiny strips with adhesive on the back, but no one else should have affordable health care?

Please explain why your entitlements are ok, but other peoples are not. Take your time. I'll wait.

President (Hillary) Clinton ;) will be sworn in in 1,267 days. You are just going to have to sit tight until then. Hang in there; we all lived through Bush the lesser, you'll be alright.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None yet.

I had my first day of work today, which was kind of overwhelming....These posts are making me crack up-thanks so much! It's also really nice to know there are some nurses out there who believe in ACA (I'm currently living in the Midwest and hear tons of crazy babble). Thanks to those out there for being a nurse and defending ACA!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's funny. In my hospital, there were 25-30 positions that were completely eliminated due to restructuring. Every single one of them were nonclinical, high paying administrative jobs. Very interesting. I don't buy any of the propaganda.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in family nurse practitioner.

All I can do is laugh when reading this thread! I am not a fan of Obama either but everything that occurs is not his fault. Its a bit ridiculous. I am glad to see that there are still some people that think the way I do. Health care has been messed up for years. I too worked as a nurse in 2008 and the census was soooo low that we were working 24 hrs out of 72 and we were in a hiring freeze and some positions disappeared. Its the nature of the beast. And Obama was not president at that time. There is really no difference now, just a scape goat.

And at Bluedevil, real good point! How is it that when one person benefits its okay, but they hate to see someone else get a helping hand. SMH.

Laceym, I couldn't agree with you more! I have heard some psychotic stories from people these days. If it rains the Obama administration was behind it. lol :)...aye yi yi

Im also glad to hear about the lil boy that will now be able to afford health care after beating cancer, thats awesome!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, because Mitt "47%" Romney was oh so totally going to not only fix your stuff for freesies, he probably would have upgraded you to all new top of the line stainless steel matchy match appliances, and filled your new freezer with steaks and lobsters. Oh wait...um, no.

Where did you even get the idea it ever should have been free in the first place? Good grief. Of course you should have to pay for your tiny strip that comes with adhesive on the back. It is yours, it's in your apartment. What the heck? If I want a tiny strip that comes with adhesive on the back I'd have to pay for it too. duh.

And here is what really REALLY confuses the heck out of me.

Why, pray tell, ought you to have free tiny strips with adhesive on the back, but no one else should have affordable health care?

Please explain why your entitlements are ok, but other peoples are not. Take your time. I'll wait.

President (Hillary) Clinton ;) will be sworn in in 1,267 days. You are just going to have to sit tight until then. Hang in there; we all lived through Bush the lesser, you'll be alright.

^^THIS!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I typically find that use of the term "Obamacare" indicates political disapproval of everything related to President Obama and Democrats and that statements with its inclusion are rarely objective.

I agree. When I see the word "Obamacare", I'm automatically skeptical of the thread/article/blog/whatever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

And here is what really REALLY confuses the heck out of me.

Why, pray tell, ought you to have free tiny strips with adhesive on the back, but no one else should have affordable health care?

Please explain why your entitlements are ok, but other peoples are not. Take your time. I'll wait.

This cognitive dissonance is widespread in conservative areas of the country. Usually rectified by said person believing that they are the only person, ever, to have "paid into the system" or "done (their) time" or "worked hard" or "truly be disabled." Everyone else is faking, or has never worked a day in their life, or just isn't as *deserving* as said person.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Omg I totally agree. They would rather see Obama fail and allow others to suffer rather than work something out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis, Psych.

Of Course ObamaCare turned America to Haiti!!!!! Whatever!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment