Cleveland (AP) -- A government-supported Cleveland hospital plans to slash 73 jobs as it struggles with steep financial losses and large numbers of uninsured and medicaid patients.

Metrohealth Medical Center's employees were notified Thursday. The layoffs, estimated to save about $17 million, comprise slightly more than 1 percent of the Metrohealth System's 6,600 employees.

Cuyahoga County owns Metrohealth and partly funds the hospital with tax dollars. Metrohealth treats all patients, regardless of whether they can pay for care.

The hospital lost $8 million in the first quarter of this year, following a $6 million loss in 2007.

Laid-off employees will receive health benefits through June. Metrohealth also will eliminate some currently vacant positions.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)