Ore. medical system to workers: Take time off
Friday, November 28, 2008 10:40 AM PST
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — A Western Oregon medical system is trying to clear its books in anticipation that more poor people will be unable to pay their bills, so it is asking many of its 4,500 workers to take 10 days off, paid, by year’s end.
The time off can come in accrued vacation, holidays or sick leave, and Samaritan Health Services workers who don’t have enough paid time off left can borrow from next year.
‘‘It is a cost-saving measure,’’ said Steve Jasperson, CEO of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, where Samaritan Health is headquartered. The nonprofit corporation operates five hospitals as well as clinics and other medical facilities in Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties.
Jasperson said not all employees will be expected to comply, especially doctors and nurses.
‘‘Most clinical positions, it’s not affecting them,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s mostly administrative, managers, secretarial and support staff.’’
He said Samaritan also is cutting back on expenditures for travel, supplies and overtime. Samaritan is worried bad debt on the books will rise as the economy gets worse and more patients are unable to pay their bills. As a nonprofit hospital operator, Samaritan can’t turn away indigent patients who come to its emergency rooms.
