Massena (N.Y.) Memorial Hospital will shutter the Norfolk (N.Y.) Family Health Center to cut costs as its annual deficit climbs to more than $2 million, according to North County Now.
Along with closing the health center, MMH officials will cut expenses by reducing the hours for or cutting six administrative positions, reviewing contracts for potential cancellations and placing a hiring freeze on all positions that are not deemed critical.
The decision to implement cost-cutting measures comes as MMH posted a $690,955 loss in September, which hospital officials attributed to lagging inpatient discharges and declining observation visits that month.
"We continue to focus as a team on the future to ensure MMH is a place where patients want to come, physicians want to practice, our employees want to work and of course our community chooses for their medical and healthcare," MMH CEO Robert Wolleben told North County Now.
It is unclear when the health center will close, but hospital leaders have assured patients will be "offered the opportunity to continue care in another MMH practice."