A slumping economy and changes in government programs have forced six East Tennessee companies to cut more than 300 jobs, according to notices filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
New York-based Gentiva Health Services said it may have to lay off up to 88 nurses and home health aides in Knoxville, Kingsport and Chattanooga because of cuts in home health services to TennCare recipients.
Gentiva spokesman David Fluhrer said, however, it is unlikely that the number of employees affected will be that high.
“The sharply reduced hours don’t meet our clinical standards and don’t allow us to care for patients safely and appropriately,” Fluhrer said.
In extreme cases, some patients who receive 24-hour care could see their services cut to five hours, he said.
There are 46 Gentiva patients affected in Knoxville, Kingsport and Chattanooga. Of those, nine are in Knoxville and about half have already been transferred to nursing homes and other home health agencies, with families trying to make up the difference or patients moving in with family entirely.
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