OJAI : Money Woes Force 25 Hospital Layoffs

Ojai Valley Community Hospital is laying off 25 of its 280 employees to stem its financial losses.

“We’re trying to be cost-effective and competitive but maintain the same level of quality care,” said Ed Porter, a hospital spokesman.

The layoffs are expected to save $650,000 a year and halt a flow of red ink that has steadily increased this year, Porter said.

The losses are blamed on growing trends in health care, such as the rise of managed care.

“The market which we serve is moving rapidly toward managed care domination, and that means we must seek new and more efficient ways to deliver the highest level of care,” Porter said. Unfortunately, these trends have forced the hospital to make some difficult choices.”