West Penn Allegheny lays off 262 employees

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Highmark’s West Penn Allegheny Health System has laid off 262 workers and eliminated 200 vacant positions.

The company says in a release today that the cutbacks include every level of the workforce, but few are related to direct patient care. Some executive positions were also eliminated. Highmark is based in Pittsburgh and the five hospitals are all in western Pennsylvania.

Spokesman Dan Laurent says the layoffs are part of efforts to restore the financial health of five West Penn Allegheny hospitals. Insurer Highmark, Inc. acquired the hospital group in April.

West Penn Allegheny will have 10,300 employees after the layoffs.