Prime Healthcare, which acquired eight Ascension hospitals in Illinois in March, is reportedly eliminating more than 100 jobs in that state.
Prime made most of the reductions Friday and will continue cutting other jobs through July, according to the Chicago Tribune.
"This consolidation affects less than 1% of the nearly 13,000 associates retained from Ascension and nearly 1,000 new jobs already created," according to a statement from Prime.
No union positions are affected, Prime said, and the consolidation will not affect the quality of care.
Comparable positions are being offered to affected employees, and they are being invited to apply for any of the more than 900 open positions across Prime Illinois facilities – including union positions, the health system said.
"As we continue to offer and create opportunities, we are also evaluating alignment with best practices and support from our national and regional teams," Prime said. "Through this process, there is a small number of positions that are duplicated or not aligned with the care model and service line offerings – most of them not directly providing patient care – that will be consolidated."
WHY THIS MATTERS
On March 1, Prime Healthcare, based in Ontario, California, announced the acquisition of eight Ascension hospitals in Illinois. The deal included four senior living and post-acute care facilities and physician practices in the Greater Chicago area.
The Prime Healthcare Foundation created a nonprofit medical group to ensure physicians and residents continue their eligibility for public service loan forgiveness, so that their talent could be retained in Illinois, the health system said.
Prime said it also began fulfilling its $250 million capital commitment with investments across the hospitals.
"This has all been accomplished despite the financial distress these hospitals and groups are facing – with collective losses of nearly $200 million this past year," Prime said.
THE LARGER TREND
Prime's hospital acquisitions in Illinois were seen as part of a larger strategy to expand its reach into the Chicago area.
Prime Healthcare is a for-profit healthcare system that operates 51 hospitals in 14 states. Eighteen of the hospitals are members of the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation.
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org