In an effort to preserve jobs and dollars, Haywood Regional Medical Center is making the most dramatic reductions to date in the number of hours employees will work.

Starting May 12, the hospital aims to reduce the total number of hours by 30 percent. Voluntary time off and temporary two-week layoffs are two of the ways HRMC plans to make the reductions.

Some, but not all, employees will be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Hospital officials are calling the reductions temporary and estimate they will last for two weeks.

Interim CEO Al Byers received a statement from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services May 8 that said inspectors could visit the hospital and reinstate full certification anytime after May 17. Currently, the hospital is in a period of reasonable assurance and awaiting a final full inspection.

HRMC’s Medicare and Medicaid funding was revoked Feb. 24 after inspectors found problems with medication administration.

Since then, the hospital has undergone a wave of radical changes, including the resignation of most members of its administration and an overhaul of hospital practices.

HRMC has struggled to stay afloat since losing its federal healthcare funding, which accounted for 67 percent of the hospital’s total revenue.

The hospital’s easily accessible reserves of approximately $6 million could run out at the beginning of June. HRMC could then be forced to liquidate its remaining assets.