The UnityPoint Health system is rolling out furloughs, executive pay cuts, and temporary hour reductions for some employees to cushion the financial impact of COVID-19.
Hospitals across the country have seen plummeting patient volume as non-essential surgeries and other services are postponed or canceled to make more room for COVID-19 treatment. OSF HealthCare implemented furloughs and executive pay cuts earlier this month for similar reasons.
“The COVID-19 crisis has challenged UnityPoint Health as a care provider and as an employer,” said UnityPoint Health President and CEO Kevin Vermeer in a statement. “While we remain focused on providing the best care possible for our patients, it’s critical we conserve our resources wherever possible. These changes in our workforce are needed to ensure we can continue meeting the healthcare needs of our communities into the future.”
The changes beginning April 26 include reductions in hours for various administrative, support, and clinical employees, as well as furloughs in areas not currently operating at capacity or currently closed due to the pandemic. Executives will take an average 15 percent pay cut. All capital projects are also on hold.
Locally, UnityPoint runs Methodist, Proctor, and Pekin hospitals.
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