The Columbus Regional Health system has announced plans to eliminate 219 positions to reduce costs.

Officials said Tuesday that 99 of the positions that are being eliminated are currently staffed by employees.

Administrators of the hospital system say the cost cutting is necessary because of declining reimbursement from commercial insurers and government programs, and growing debt. Leaders of the health care system said in a statement that they're expecting a decline of more than $10 million in reimbursement for patient services this year.

Officials say they're looking to reduce costs by more than $23 million across the health system without having a negative impact on patient care.

The health system's administrators say no bedside nursing positions will be eliminated.

Tags: columbus regional health system, job cuts, job cuts at columgia regional health system