AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY

Newark, New Jersey-based Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, a not-for-profit, tax-paying health service corporation offering the only licensed Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan in New Jersey, has announced a company restructuring with a 5% reduction in force

The reduction will affect 242 employees, effective April 26, 2026.

According to a company spokesperson, "Horizon is facing unprecedented financial challenges due largely to higher medical costs and utilization across all lines of business. Over the past three years we have taken proactive steps to control rising healthcare costs, including reducing our own operating costs by $275 million. Nonetheless, our current cost structure is simply not sustainable in this environment and we have a responsibility to our customers and members to ensure the long-term financial strength of the company. We do not take workforce reductions lightly. Employees whose positions were eliminated were treated with fairness and respect and will receive a generous separation package.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT POMONA VALLEY HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

Pomona, California-based Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, a not-for-profit acute care facility, has announced a 7% reduction in force in response to a $40 million budget shortfall driven by federal and state spending cuts, lower reimbursement rates, and rising personnel costs.

The reduction will impact 265 employees, systemwide, including management, clinical, and non-clinical staff, with the possibility of additional layoffs. 128 positions have been removed by not filling vacant positions and by planned retirements in 2026. Another 137 positions will be eliminated through layoffs and reduced hours. Separations are scheduled for March 15, 2026.

According to a spokesperson, “These decisions were made following a thorough evaluation of operational requirements, organizational structure, and redundancies in positions. The cuts were announced as part of a strategic plan to protect access to high-quality care, ensure long-term sustainability, and address growing financial challenges.”

President and CEO Richard Yochum noted, "It is with deep regret that we must take these difficult actions. Sadly, we are not alone in facing this healthcare industry crisis. We are working rigorously alongside policymakers and with our national, state, and local healthcare advocacy associations to further protect funding to maintain our ability to deliver high-quality health care services.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT NORTH STAR HEALTH ALLIANCE

Ogdensburg, New York-based North Star Health Alliance, a collaborative system of healthcare organizations serving community health and well-being, has announced a reduction-in-force.

The reduction will impact 120 employees, including management, clinical, and non-clinical staff.

President and CEO Richard Duvall noted, “We expect the impact to be around 120 positions, and that’s almost a 50-50 split between the two campuses. We understand behind every position is a person, behind that person is a family, and obviously, these decisions affect all of those folks."

North Star operates Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Campus in Ogdensburg, as well as Carthage Area Hospital.

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?