HOUSTON – The Harris County Health System says it will cut more than 260 jobs because of a budget shortfall.
More than 100 current employees will be laid off.
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The rest of the cuts will come from positions that are vacant or have not been filled yet.
The projected money crunch is expected to be more than $70 million.
The Harris Health System released the following statement:
In light of a Harris Health System budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year projected to be in excess of $70 million, last Friday the system's administration began implementing a cost-cutting plan which includes a reduction-in-force (RIF) that will eliminate 262 total jobs, including 113 currently staffed positions.
In a memorandum sent to Harris Health System staff on Thursday, Dec. 11, CEO George V. Masi announced initial plans to reduce the workforce by 125 positions. Since that date, the RIF was expanded to include a variety of open positions.
Masi stated "The RIF, coupled with other cost-cutting measures, is necessary as we work to close a substantial projected budget deficit for the coming fiscal year."
The RIF will be finalized this week. The workforce reductions account for less than1 percent of Harris Health's 8,237 employees.
"We are this community's safety net health system. Nobody provides healthcare to those most in need better than Harris Health," adds Masi. "We will continue to deliver high quality health services as efficiently as possible with the resources we have available."