Survey finds more Pennsylvania hospitals considering layoffs

Pennsylvania's hospitals say in a new survey they increasingly are feeling the pinch of the struggling economy, and a growing number say they are considering staff cuts. Since a similar survey in December, more hospitals also say they have fewer patients overall, but more who need financial help or have mental-health problems. The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania said its latest survey is further evidence that state and federal leaders should maintain funding levels for Medicaid, Medicare, and other health programs.