Providence to cut regional spending

POLSON — St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson may be impacted by localized spending cutbacks announced by its parent company, Providence Health and Services, this week.

Providence Health and Services Western Montana Region president Jeff Fee said that the region is looking to cut nearly $5 million from their budget between now and March 2014. Fee said the cuts are necessitated as the market and environment of the healthcare market are rapidly changing.

“As hospitals and clinics across the nation are figuring out how to adapt to a new model for healthcare, we’re all facing the same challenges,” Fee said. “We’re hearing that there are rumors about cuts and layoffs and want to speak directly to our community and employees with facts. We, like the rest of the healthcare industry, have financial pressures, but we’re working together to manage those pressures without negatively affecting patient care.”

In a press release last week, Fee said each department will be responsible for finding efficiencies, but that there will be no across the board layoffs. Jobs will be created and lost in the process, which is a necessary evil of improving the healthcare system.

“We intend to remain leaders in the health of our community for the next 140 years,” Fee said in the press release, “but the way we do it will change. Our industry and our team are accustomed to challenges, and we’ll meet these head on, all the while staying true to our fundamental Mission.”

While the bulk of Fee’s message spoke about changes that will be taking place at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center will also be affected, although the specifics are not clear at this time.

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center chief executive James Kiser could not be reached as of press time on Tuesday to comment on what changes will be made in the Polson medical facility.