Good Samaritan lays off 50

Good Samaritan Health System in Lebanon said today it will eliminate about 50 jobs. It said the move was made necessary by the economic downtown & decreases in hospital admissions & elective surgeries, and increases in patients who can't pay their bills. About 5 of the 50 positions had been vacant, said a spokesman. About 45 laid-off workers were sent home. Most jobs involve administrative & support positions that aren't involved in direct patient care, Good Samaritan said. Good Samaritan said it tried to make it through the economic downtown without eliminating jobs, but it became impossible. It had previously cut costs by cutting merit pay increases for salaried employees, postponing projects & eliminating the use of temporary, agency staff, said Good Samaritan, that operates a 172-bed hospital. Its moves continue a rash of cost-cutting moves at Harrisburg-area hospitals. In recent weeks, facilities announced hiring freezes, major projects delays & some layoffs.