OGDENSBURG - Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center has laid off eight of its over 675 employees and is seeking other ways to cut costs.

In the first half of this year, the hospital’s revenues have grown less than one percent while expenses have risen four percent, according to information provided by the hospital.

These financial difficulties are attributed to a decrease in Medicare funding for hospitals. CHMC will receive $450,000 less medicaid funds in 2012, and $806,000 less in 2013. These cuts will grow yearly as part of the Affordable Care Act.

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