Pittsburgh-based Highmark cuts 100 more jobs

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark Inc. has cut 100 more jobs in Pennsylvania, bringing to more than 500 the layoffs in its insurance business and related hospital network.

Spokesman Aaron Billger told Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE the latest cuts include 40 workers in Pittsburgh, 40 in Camp Hill and 20 at other offices across the state.

Billger said the jobs have been cut because "health care is changing rapidly" and Highmark's "workforce needs to be aligned to our strategies."

The company cut 160 technology, sales and finance workers in its insurance operation last month. In addition, its seven-hospital Allegheny Health Network laid off 262 workers in the second half of last year.

Highmark's insurance business has about 20,000 workers, including 5,000 in Pittsburgh, while the hospital network has another 17,000 employees.

WPXI