Central Maine Healthcare is planning to lay off a significant number of employees, although full details of the health care system’s next steps have not been announced.
The health care system that serves the greater Lewiston/Auburn region announced the changes on Thursday, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported. According to the report, Central Maine Healthcare may lay off up to 100 employees.
The announcement comes as the health care system prepares for acquisition by Prime Healthcare Foundation, a California-based nonprofit. Central Maine Healthcare facilities, including Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, will retain their names and current leadership.
Prime Healthcare Foundation intends to invest $150 million in facility improvements, and will continue to offer charity services and community outreach programs previously provided by the health care organization.
As the health care system prepares for ownership changes, it continues to struggle with funding losses. Central Maine Healthcare, much like the struggling Northern Light Health system, has reported deficits of $19 million or more in recent years.
The financial woes aren’t likely to be resolved anytime soon. It could become even harder for Maine hospitals to stay afloat due to the Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he signed into law on July 4.
Additional details on Central Maine Healthcare’s planned layoffs are expected to come sometime Friday, according to the Sun Journal.