Prime Healthcare Eliminates Over 100 Jobs in Illinois After Ascension Hospital Acquisition
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After acquiring eight Ascension hospitals in Illinois in March, Prime Healthcare has reportedly made the decision to eliminate more than 100 jobs in the state. The majority of these job cuts were implemented on Friday, with additional reductions expected to continue through July, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
In a statement released by Prime Healthcare, it was mentioned that this consolidation impacts less than 1% of the nearly 13,000 associates retained from Ascension and the almost 1,000 new jobs that have already been created. The health system assured that no union positions would be affected by these changes and that patient care quality would not be compromised.
Affected employees are being offered comparable positions within the organization, with the opportunity to apply for over 900 open positions across Prime Healthcare facilities in Illinois, including union positions. The consolidation process aims to align with best practices and support from national and regional teams, resulting in the elimination of a small number of duplicated or misaligned positions that do not directly impact patient care.
Impact and Initiatives
Prime Healthcare’s acquisition of the Ascension hospitals in Illinois on March 1 was part of a strategic move to expand its presence in the Chicago area. The deal included four senior living and post-acute care facilities, as well as physician practices in the Greater Chicago region.
To ensure the retention of physicians and residents in Illinois, the Prime Healthcare Foundation established a nonprofit medical group that would allow them to continue their eligibility for public service loan forgiveness. Despite facing financial distress with collective losses of nearly $200 million in the past year, Prime Healthcare began fulfilling its $250 million capital commitment through investments in the acquired hospitals.
Continued Growth and Expansion
Prime Healthcare, a for-profit healthcare system, currently operates 51 hospitals across 14 states, with 18 of them being part of the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation. The organization’s focus on strategic acquisitions and investments reflects its commitment to expanding its reach and enhancing healthcare services in various communities.
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