We always hate to hear that a business is shutting down, but when it's a hospital, it's doubly disturbing.  Not only do people lose their jobs, but citizens have less access to health care.

LifeCare Specialty Hospital operates 175 beds between its Ruston and Shreveport locations.  Today the company officially announced its intent to permanently shutter operations of the Ruston facility.  The closing will necessitate the firing of all 167 employees.  Firings will begin next week and will be finished by June.

Bummer.

LifeCare is doing its part to soften the blow by offering severance packages to those affected by the firings. In addition, the Louisiana Workforce Commission is working on putting together re-employment workshops for those who will be losing their jobs.

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