Pullman Regional Hospital has cut employee pay by 25% to try to deal with a significant drop in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has ordered hospitals to suspend elective surgeries and limit outpatient procedures to increase healthcare capacity for a possible coronavirus surge. The order has significantly decreased revenue to PRH.

PRH has implemented a coronavirus financial management plan, according to a press release from the hospital. Officials remain committed to avoiding layoffs, but the hospital has cut hourly pay and salaries by 25% for 2 months starting with the April 11th pay period.

The move will create a million dollars in cash savings which will be used to pay for operations. PRH has 64 days cash on hand. Officials are hoping the pay cut will allow the hospital to have at least 30 days cash on hand.

PRH is also implementing unpaid furloughs for employees, capping organizational overtime, limiting paid time off and suspending cash reimbursement for paid leave that hasn’t been taken.

Officials are seeking new sources of government funding through FEMA, the CARES Act and Medicare Advancement Payment. The PRH Foundation has started a coronavirus fundraiser which has already received over 330,000 dollars. The foundation board is working with the hospital to provide another half a million dollars in unrestricted cash. Donations to the PRH Coronavirus Fund can be made here https://info.pullmanregional.org/blog/covid-19-pullman-regional-hospital-fund or by calling 509-332-2046.