Public Hospital District in Washington Lays Off 25 Workers

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state public hospital district is laying off about 25 people as part of a plan to improve its finances.

The Tri-City Herald reports that the plan to improve the financial position of Kennewick's Trios Health also calls for additional workforce cuts and not filling some open posts.

The changes will mean millions in savings. Interim CEO and chief restructuring officer Craig Cudworth said Friday that implementing them has been painful but necessary.

Trios Health includes two hospitals and a network of care centers and services. It has been struggling financially for several years and saw a net loss of about $17 million last year.

The consulting firm Quorum Health Resources recommended reducing the district's workforce and a significant cut has already been achieved by voluntary layoffs, scheduling changes and attrition.