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Jackson Health System Announces Furlough Plan To Cut Costs

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Employees at Jackson Health System will be required to take furlough days in order to keep the hospital afloat, President Carlos Migoya announced Thursday.

The unpaid time off will have to be completed before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2012 and will affect all employees, including executives.

"High-quality medical care and patient safety are always our top priority, but these kinds of responsible business decisions are exactly what our taxpayer-owners expect of Jackson," said Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System. "These are the steps that are necessary to ensure Jackson has the best possible chance to survive in the short-term and thrive in the years to come."

The amount of furlough days are determined by how much each employee makes. For example, Those earning base salaries of less than $25,000 will only take the equivalent of five unpaid days, at least two of which will be before the end of 2011. Those earning base salaries of more than $200,000 will take 11 days of unpaid leave, including four this calendar year. Employees who fall between $25,000 and $200,000 will take 10 days.

Migoya said the furlough days and additional cuts were needed after Jackson Health System found itself 230 million dollars in the red under former president Dr. Eneida Roldan.

With the furloughs, the company expects to save nearly $27.5 million this fiscal year.

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