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MIAMI - DECEMBER 08: U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Lorraine Knight from Weymouth, Massachusetts helps soldiers from the 212th Combat Support Hospital prepare a trauma patient for the CAT scan during a 24-hour shift at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center December 8, 2006 in Miami, Florida. The U.S. Army Trauma Training Center at the hospital gives medics heading into combat operations the training necessary to work on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. Miami's Ryder Trauma Center was chosen because it provides access to the volume and severity of injuries needed to mimic those experienced on the battlefield. Among the goals of the program is to foster teamwork among the medics as they participated in an intense, 14-day program. The rotation culminates with a 24-hour exercise where the unit essentially takes over operations of the Ryder Trauma Center. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Jackson Health System is still in critical condition, but at least it's not closing down hospitals - yet.
Miami-Dade's largest public hospital system announced Monday a new plan that scraps the idea of closing two community hospitals and laying off 4,500 employees.
CEO Eneida Roldan that Jackson will go through a financial restructuring that could save money and lives. Off the table is closing Jackson South and Jackson North hospitals. ONly about 650 people would lose their jobs under the new proposal.
But the hospital still needs cash fast in order to pay its bills in the next few months.
The afternoon announcement comes after the medical group announced that they've reached an agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to keep all workers employed during a 45-day negotiation period.
“A hospital is just a building; Jackson Memorial is a family,” said Viviene Dixon-Shim, president of AFSCME Local 1363, in a statement. “Our goal is to find a solution to this crisis so our professionals who provide top-rate health care can continue serving their patients.”
The Public Health Trust, which govern Jackson, is also opening up its books to AFSCME, "so that an additional set of eyes can review the problems and seek positive solutions," the statement said.
Jackson is facing a $229 million deficit for the upcoming year and an investigation by a Miami-Dade grand jury.
“While we recognize the need to determine our past mistakes so they can be avoided in the future, we also recognize that pointing fingers does nothing to keep our doors open,” said Dixon-Shim.
