Health care changes result in hospital layoffs

With health insurance somewhat in a state of upheaval, local hospitals are making strategic layoffs in response to national trends and their own patient data.

“It really has to do with a softening of the health care market nationally,” said Kirsten Pfotenhauer, communications manager for Longmont United Hospital. “It’s a shift in the way that people are getting their health care.”

Both LUH and Boulder Community Health announced layoffs in April, with Boulder Community laying off about 25 people and Longmont about 30. Banner Health, which operates three hospitals in Northern Colorado, laid off…