The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics have cut 285 jobs because of budget problems caused by the ongoing recession.
Jean E. Robillard, MD, vice president for medical affairs for UI Health Care, told the Iowa Board of Regents this week that layoffs accounted for 137 of the cuts. He said the rest would be eliminated through attrition.
In early June, Robillard warned that the hospital system had to find a way to save $45 million so it could make a 1 percent profit margin in fiscal 2009.
UI Health Care officials said government payers and insurance providers are not sending reimbursements promptly. That contributed to the need for $23 million in cuts in fiscal 2009, including $4.3 million in voluntary pay cuts by employees.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has an $860 million annual budget and employs approximately 6,600 people.