By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The struggling economy is forcing one local health insurer to lay off employees and spin off some assets.
Independent Health is laying off 50 employees. The company is also selling its third party administration business and its 43 jobs to a local health care executive. And all technology and telecommunications functions, along with 15 jobs, are being outsourced to a consultant.
"Slowing the growth rate on health care costs is imperative if we are going to improve the longterm fiscal health of our company, our community, and our nation," said Dr. Michael Cropp, president and CEO, Independent Health. "Reforming health care requires some very difficult decisions and sacrifices by all stakeholders and these actions are clearly an example.
"To succeed, we must all bring forward new and different solutions in order to enact meaningful change."
Cropp said Independent Health remains financially and operationally stable.