Barnabas Health lays off employees, cites healthcare reform

BELLEVILLE — Barnabas Health, the second-largest private employer in the state, said today it was forced to lay off employees because of pressures brought about by healthcare reform. The company refused to say the total number of employees who lost their jobs but layoffs have occurred at Clara Maass Health Center in Belleville and Community Medical Center in Toms River. It is not known if layoffs took place at any of Barnabas' other nine hospitals or ancillary facilities. Barnabas employs more than 19,000 people and more than 4,700 physicians, and is looking to expand its footprint in New Jersey. In May, it took over Jersey City Medical Center in Hudson County.