Kentucky hospitals have cut their workforce by 10 percent since 2013 as they prepare for an estimated $7 billion in federal cuts by 2024 because of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
The Kentucky Hospital Association detailed the numbers in a new report released Friday. President Michael Rust praised Kentucky officials for implementing the Affordable Care Act and reducing the number of people without health insurance. But the report by the consulting firm Dobson/DaVanzo says Kentucky hospitals will lose more money than they gain from the expanded health insurance coverage.
The report seems to contradict a study from Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear in February that said Kentucky added 12,000 jobs because of the Medicaid expansion. But that report included jobs outside of hospitals.