LV firm laying off Texas workers

Sierra Health Services Inc. of Las Vegas announced today it is laying off about 80 people in its Dallas offices as part of an effort to restore profitability in its Texas operations.

The layoffs represent about 11 percent of the Dallas workforce, and include the president, chief financial officer and chief medical officer of Sierra's Central Division. Sierra anticipates it will save about $5 million per year through the restructuring.

Layoffs are not expected in Las Vegas, since the Nevada operations of Sierra are performing well, spokesman Peter O'Neill said.

Sierra will consolidate financial reporting, group and member services, marketing and pharmacy operations from Texas to the Las Vegas office. The company also plans to create a central physician practice management organization in Las Vegas. However, O'Neill said these moves would not result in any meaningful increase in Sierra's Las Vegas workforce.

Sierra acquired its Texas operations when it purchased the assets of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Texas in late 1998.

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