Layoffs are just one of several solutions being kicked around.  Forum needs help from its unions, may still sell some of its holdings, and is looking at better marketing. 

Forum CEO, Lowell Johnson, talking for the first time since the release of the final report from the Chartis Group, says officials want Northside Hospital to survive.

The Chartis Group is a national health care advisory service firm that was asked by the attorney general's office to provide a detailed analysis of the Forum Health System.

The report states Forum Health must improve its operational performance in the areas of labor costs, reimbursement levels and volume growth. And Forum Health officials say they agree, noting that Northside Hospital is still experiencing losses.

Johnson says through the end of March 2008, the expenses at Northside have exceeded the revenue by six and a half million dollars.

Forty-nine employees at Northside will be laid off by May 24th.

Johnson and Parry Hesselman, president of the Forum Health Board, point out that the Chartis report suggests that if Northside were able to bring its labor costs in line with the benchmark, it could potentially save fifteen million dollars.

Union contracts at Northside expire this year, and hospital officials are looking forward to cooperation from the labor organizations.

And despite the financial problems, Forum Health's board president, says officials are not looking at a possible merger with Humility of Mary.

Humility of Mary Health Partners released a statement saying while they are not engaged in active discussions they are open to the possibility of future conversations.