COLUMBIA — MU Health Care reduced its staff by 74 people and will close three Quick Care locations in Columbia and one in Jefferson City. The staff reductions primarily impacted non-clinical and administrative positions.

The Quick Care locations at Hy-Vee stores in Columbia and the Jefferson City location will close effective August 1. MU Health Care offered individualized assistance to affected employees, including information on Transition Assistance Pay, continued benefits, internal job opportunities, and other transition resources. More than 500 job openings remain at MU Health Care, which has a workforce of approximately 6,800 people.

MU Health Care also proposed changes to certain employee benefit programs. These proposed changes include modifications to retirement contributions, holidays, and paid time off. The proposal also features enhancements such as dependent care assistance, expanded counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program, and new fertility and adoption benefits.

The changes to employee benefits are subject to approval by the University of Missouri Board of Curators. The Board of Curators has a meeting scheduled for Thursday, with MU Health Care’s financials and an organizational update listed as main topics. Ric Ransom, chief executive officer of MU Health Care, stated the organization must adapt to changes in the healthcare industry. He said these decisions are necessary to maintain MU Health Care's strength and competitiveness and to enable it to serve patients and communities in the future.

No independent assessment of MU Health Care’s claims was available.