The Record
Thursday, January 14, 2010
BY MARY JO LAYTON

Nearly half the state’s hospitals have laid off workers, many have reduced services and most are treating growing ranks of patients who can’t or won’t pay, according to a survey by the New Jersey Hospital Association.

“Just like other businesses, hospitals continue to feel the economic pressures of the recession,” said association president Betsy Ryan. “But unlike other businesses, hospitals can’t simply adjust by reducing their output or cutting back on hours.”

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center reported layoffs last year. Englewood laid off 24 workers in November. Hackensack announced a cut of up to 125 positions in September.

Nearly a fourth of hospitals surveyed curtailed services, including eliminating pediatric programs and behavioral health services. These were in addition to the cuts in care made by 17 percent of the responding hospitals in 2008.

More than half the state’s 73 acute-care hospitals responded in December to the association’s second annual economic impact survey.

“The economic outlook will continue to stress New Jersey hospitals for some time,” said Englewood Hospital and Medical Center spokeswoman Maria Margiotta. “This only strengthens arguments opposing the reopening of an acute-care hospital in Westwood.”

Read the entire article at northjersey.com