Ballad Health, a new health system formed by the merger of Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health System and Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain States Health Alliance, will lay off 150 employees by April 20, according to the Times-News.
In September 2017, before the merger, the health system disclosed that approximately 250 people would be laid off because there would be duplicative administrative and support positions, including senior executives and front line staff. Now, that number has decreased to 150.
"While I am glad that the number of affected positions is less than we originally estimated, these changes will still affect 150 of our colleagues, and there is no way to describe this action as anything other than very challenging for the team members involved and their families," said Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine, according to the Times-News.
Mr. Levine said the layoffs were necessary to reduce costs, especially duplicative costs, as 13 of Ballad Health's 21 hospitals are rural and operate at a loss.
The affected employees will be notified by April 20.