Hospital In Vail Lays Off 22 People

VAIL, Colo. (AP) -- Cuts in Medicaid are being blamed after a Vail hospital cut 22 jobs this week.

The Vail Valley Medical Center says the new federal healthcare reform package cut the hospital's Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to 25 percent, down from 50 percent over the past five years.

Hospital officials say their Medicare and Medicaid patient numbers have increased sharply.

Hospital president Doris Kirchner told the Vail Daily says the hospital did not expect an increase in volume and a decrease in reimbursement at the same time. She says more cuts may be coming.

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