FORT SMITH, Ark. — Baptist Health Fort Smith confirmed the termination of 70 more jobs this week amid multiple other clinics and hospitals facing similar decisions.
Washington Regional recently eliminated 86 positions, while Freeman Health is expanding into Northwest Arkansas after acquiring four Northwest Health hospitals.
The Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA) said that many of the recent layoffs and changes can be linked to rising costs for supplies and daily operations that aren’t being compensated fast enough. They said that more than 40% of hospitals in the state are operating at a loss…