Mass General Brigham, Massachusetts’ largest healthcare system, revealed plans to lay off hundreds of employees as it faces a projected $250 million budget gap, CBS News reports.
The job cuts, announced on Monday, will primarily target non-clinical and administrative roles, with the restructuring set to be completed by March.
In an email to employees, CEO Dr. Anne Klibanski emphasized that the layoffs will focus on “non-clinical and non-patient facing roles.” The changes involve the “elimination, consolidation, or rescoping of management and administrative positions.”
Mass General Brigham, which employs more than 82,000 people across the state, has promised market-competitive severance packages and benefits coverage for those affected.
Klibanski warned that immediate action was necessary to safeguard the organization’s financial health and mission.
“If we do not take definitive action now, we compromise our ability to continue to invest in our mission,” she wrote.
The announcement has raised concerns among healthcare workers, who fear the impact on operations. Paula Ward, an ICU nurse at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, said employees are bracing for increased workloads.
“You see buildings going up, and the money is coming from somewhere. It’s very surprising,” Ward said, adding that patient loads have not decreased. “No matter who you take out, it is going to affect everybody. It is going to ripple down to us.”
The layoffs come amid ongoing financial and operational challenges for the healthcare system, including inflation, inefficiencies, and a capacity crisis. Last year, Massachusetts General Hospital added 94 beds to address overcrowding in its Emergency Department, where some patients had to wait days for a bed.
In response to capacity issues, the healthcare system expanded its “Home Hospital” program, which provides care in patients’ homes as a cost-effective alternative to inpatient treatment.
Mass General Brigham acknowledged the tough decisions but reiterated its commitment to maintaining high-quality care.
“The steps we are taking now to evolve our organization will play a critical role in ensuring that Mass General Brigham continues to lead, innovate, and transform the future of healthcare,” the organization said in a statement.
Mass General Brigham operates several hospitals across the state, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Salem Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear, McLean Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation.
