Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is laying off 100+ employees from their Virtual Health Services division starting in July. ~200 total employees will be affected by changes to virtual services and administrative roles. The cuts will include telemetry techs who remotely monitor patients' heart rhythms and vital signs. These jobs are being outsourced to another region. One affected worker, Megan Frasier, said employees found out yesterday and are devastated.
The hospital system blames financial pressures and that includs:
- Rising labor and supply costs
- Increasing insurance claim denials
- Underpayment from government programs
- New Washington state taxes and budget cuts
- Reduced reimbursement for state and school employee care
These changes will cost the hospital an extra $30M yearly.
The UFCW 3000 union represents over 50 folks that are affected. They plan to negotiate at the bargaining table to help workers find other union jobs within the health system.
Industry leaders say more hospital layoffs are coming statewide. The Washington State Hospital Association CEO said hospital finances are getting worse and warned of potential service cuts, program closures, and even hospital closures due to state funding issues and high operating costs in Washington.