Cleveland Clinic to cut $330M, possibly more jobs

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Clinic is cutting $330 million from its 2014 budget and says it will offer voluntary retirement to some employees but may eventually need to eliminate jobs.

The Clinic informed employees about the situation today. About 3,000 workers will be notified about early-retirement offers next month, but it’s not clear whether more staff would be cut if those offers are accepted.

Spokeswoman Eileen Sheil says the cuts are aimed at efficiency and keeping health care affordable for patients. The Clinic says it’s also trying to reduce operational costs and strictly review the filling of vacant jobs.

Sheil says staffing and benefits constitute more than half of the hospital system’s costs. She says that means nonemployee cuts aren’t enough to meet the needed cost reductions.