The article about Hershey Medical Center construction and how it is moving ahead despite the need for budget cutbacks was right on target until the subject of staff layoffs was reached. The reporting of the administrations plans regarding layoffs was misleading.

Although Hershey Medical Center administrators would prefer layoffs are not a necessary component of the cost reduction plan, we know that some layoffs are inevitable.

That is why layoffs have been mentioned as a regrettable possibility since the cost reduction plan was introduced. That is also why we informed managers three weeks ago that minimal layoffs will occur. And that is why we held employee meetings two weeks ago to publicly tell all employees that, unfortunately, some layoffs will be necessary in several months.

Employee communication, including employee input, is the foundation of the cost reduction plan. We are doing everything possible to make the cost reduction smooth, effective and as painless as possible for all employees.