Trident Health lays off 35: Medicaid cuts cited

Trident Health System laid off 35 full-time workers, including clinical staff, to cope with Medicaid cuts the state announced a week ago, officials of the hospital owner said Monday. The cuts in Medicaid reimbursement rates are expected to lead to an annual loss of $2.1 million for Trident Health System, which operates Moncks Corner, Summerville and Trident medical centers, spokesman Bob Behanian said in a statement. The layoffs come from The Trident and Summerville facilities and reflect about 2% of the hospital system's 1,800 employee work force, Behanian said. No future layoffs are anticipated and no reductions in patient services have been announced, he said. The hospitals will continue "to fill positions in areas where employees are needed," he said. Todd Gallati, Trident's CEO, said in statement: "Reorganizations are always difficult, but the significance of the state's cuts to the Medicaid program caused us to act in the best interest of the overall health of the organization."