Arizona Healthcare Workers Not on COVID-19 Frontlines Face Pay Cuts

The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association has estimated that hospital revenues are down 30-40% due to fewer surgeries and emergency room visits.

While some healthcare workers are busier than ever tending to COVID-19 patients, others are seeing pay cuts and reduced hours. 

ABC 15 reported Tuesday that Banner Health, Dignity Health, and Mayo Clinic all plan to reduce labor costs. They emphasized that workers involved in the coronavirus response will not be affected. 

Banner plans to temporarily furlough up to 3,000 of its Arizona staff members, out of a total of 43,000 employees in the state, The Arizona Republic reported. Senior leaders plan to take up to a 20% cut in pay starting next month. 

It’s unclear how many workers with Dignity Health and Mayo Clinic will be affected.

Many hospitals have seen increased expenses due to expanding capacity for coronavirus patients, as well as decreased income due to a hold on elective surgeries. 

RELATED: Women Are Losing Their Jobs More Than Men Due To Coronavirus. Here’s Why.

The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association has estimated that hospital revenues are down 30-40% due to fewer surgeries and emergency room visits, equaling about $430 million to $575 million per month across the state. According to FOX 10, Mayo Clinic said it expects to lose $3 billion due to the virus. 

FOX 10 also reported that some nurses in the Valley who have reduced work have gone to coronavirus hotspots like New York to help with the effort and get paid.

“It’s just really hard because I personally am the main provider for my family,” one of these nurses told the TV station. “And I’m not working or getting any shifts and it’s hard financially.”

But some hospitals may see some help soon. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a $484 billion aid package that includes $75 billion in financial assistance for hospitals.

The House is expected to pass the bill Thursday, and President Donald Trump has indicated that he will sign it.

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