Four Health Systems Cut Administrative Roles, Spare Clinical Staff
Becker's Hospital Review reports that several large health systems announced 2026 layoffs targeting corporate and administrative positions while protecting patient-facing roles. Kaiser Permanente is cutting 147 business and administrative positions across 16 California locations effective November 20, with San Diego hit hardest. HCA Healthcare eliminated an unspecified "small percentage" of corporate positions following a downward revision to its 2026 earnings guidance. Wellstar Health System cut 761 corporate and shared-services roles, about 2% of its workforce, and Baystate Health trimmed administrative layers amid a $60 million budget shortfall. The piece also notes that nearly 50 hospitals and systems have raised worker pay since December 2025, even as administrative headcount shrinks.