AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MAINEGENERAL HEALTH

Augusta, Maine-based MaineGeneral Health, a comprehensive non-profit healthcare delivery system, has announced a reduction in force.

The reduction will impact 100 full-time workers and commence in mid-April 2025.

In a statement, President and CEO Nathan Howell noted, "The current crisis in MaineCare funding compounds an already tenuous financial footing for MaineGeneral and other hospitals in the state. Maine’s nonprofit hospitals are challenged by declining reimbursement rates from payers, reimbursement rates are not covering the actual cost of care. Additionally, we are experiencing excessive denials, especially from Medicare Advantage plans. The cost of doing business is increasing, which is not unique to health care. These are just some of the multiple challenges that we have been facing. We need to find a way to mitigate those losses as quickly as possible."

"We believe doing this difficult work now will set us up for a more financially sustainable future, as we want to remain independent and available to meet the health care needs of our community now and into the future."

"Finally, we know many people in the Greater Waterville area are concerned about their health care needs right now. We appreciate the important role we have in the community, especially in light of the Inland Hospital closure announcement, and we are assessing how we can be helpful with transitions of care."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT FIRSTENERGY

Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy, an electric utility that distributes, transmits, and generates electricity, manages energy, and other energy-related services, has announced a new business model and organizational changes.

The restructuring will impact approximately 350 employees, or 3% of its workforce in five states.

A spokesperson noted, “We are eliminating certain roles while expanding others to ensure the company is structured to operate efficiently, deliver an exceptional customer experience, and meet challenges and opportunities now and in the future.”

According to an SEC filing, "On March 24, 2025, FirstEnergy Corp. internally announced organizational changes to Company employees. These organizational changes are intended to align the Company’s organization with its new business model, which is designed to make the Company more efficient and sustainable while placing responsibility and accountability closer to customers, employees and regulators. The changes are also consistent with the Company’s focus on operations and maintenance expense discipline. These organizational changes will result in approximately two hundred employees being reassigned and the Company reducing its workforce by less than three percent."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CARGO THERAPEUTICS

San Carlos, California-based Cargo Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing cancer cell therapies, has announced a wind-down of its development projects after receiving disappointing Phase 2 clinical trial results, with almost a fifth of the trial’s lymphoma patients showing signs of a dangerous side effect.

The wind-down will impact 90% of the company's workforce, approximately 83 employees, as the company struggles to “preserve cash and maximize shareholder value.”

According to Chairman John Orwin, “In connection with the Company’s review of strategic options, the Board has concluded that it is in the best interests of shareholders to cease development operations. We are grateful for the contributions of those who will be leaving CARGO as a result of the decision to discontinue development of our remaining pipeline assets. Our priority moving forward is to maximize value for shareholders while aiming to find a permanent home for our remaining assets for the benefit of patients and to do both in an expeditious manner."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?