HCMC braces workers for some layoffs in 2017

Hennepin County Medical Center has told employees that some layoffs are planned for early next year.

A spokesperson for the Minneapolis hospital said it's too early to know how many jobs will be lost or what departments will be affected. More details about the layoffs and other organizational changes are expected to be available sometime next month.

Layoffs and other changes will go into effect by the end of March, according to the company's statement.

HCMC employs more than 6,800 people currently.

Despite an increase in patients this year, "it is clear that the increasing cost of salaries, wages, and benefits and the rising cost of supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals, together with public program reimbursements that are less than the cost of providing care, are contributing to the financial challenge" for 2017, HCMC said in its statement.

Construction is currently underway on a more than $220 million expansion of the hospital system's facilities in Minneapolis. The new building is expected to open in 2018.

Hennepin County Medical Center also made layoffs in 2009, when about 200 jobs were cut and the hospital instituted a pay freeze.