Layoffs near at KMC; losses reach $3.4M monthly

Kern Medical Center is preparing to lay off an undisclosed number of employees as it struggles to stanch a monthly $3 million wound in its budget. Kern County Supervisors were told Tuesday at their weekly meeting that KMC lost $3.4 million in February and is on its way to a staggering $30 million loss for the current fiscal year that ends in June. Supervisor Mike Maggard fumed at union contracts and civil service rules that tie his hands — and those of KMC CEO Russell Judd — when it comes to having "flexibility" in how to staff the hospital.