Children's Hospitals to cut up to 250 jobs

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is planning to eliminate 200 to 250 jobs by mid-November.

The provider -- with campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul -- said Wednesday the down economy is forcing more children to rely on Medicaid. But it says cuts in Medicaid have taken a serious toll.

Children's says it's the largest pediatric care provider in Minnesota, while Medicaid is the single largest insurer of children in the state.

It says Children's Medicaid population has grown to 44 percent in the past year, but Medicaid pays providers only about 80 percent of their costs. Children's says it lost $43 million treating Medicaid patients last year alone.

Children's says the job cuts will be achieved through a combination of not filling open positions, early retirements and some layoffs. It also plans to consolidate some programs.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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