Because of the state's budget crisis, around 800 employees at University Hospital and Clinics received WARN letters Monday morning. The hospital, which is operated by Lafayette General Health, will close if state funding is not allocated in the budget. WARN letters are required to give workers a federally-mandated 60-day notice in advance of a mass layoff which could happen if the hospital is forced to close its doors on July 1st.

Time is running out for lawmakers to close an estimated $700 million budget gap as the regular legislative session is more than halfway done. A special session is expected to follow. UHC is run through a public-private partnership with the state. But, if state funding is cut, Lafayette General says UHC will be returned to the state because it will not be able to uphold its contract.

The current state's budget ends June 30th.

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