LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The University of Louisville Hospital is cutting back some services to save money. But some people think the hospital has another motive.

U of L Hospital would not comment on camera Thursday, but a spokesperson did confirm the hospital is reducing services to save $2.5 million.

However, some believe the hospital is crying "wolf" about its budget problems.  U of L Hospital confirms it is taking steps to save money --  stopping open-heart surgeries and  limiting some non-emergency services for patients with no insurance.

The hospital is also closing its sleep center, located on the 6th floor of the Residence Inn downtown.

U of L Hospital says this may be just the beginning, confirming that it must cut some $15 million over the next couple of years.

The hospital says its budget problems are partly the result of state and city cuts to indigent care.

"It's unconscionable, what they're doing," says State Rep. Tom Burch.  He specializes in health care policy. He says the problem is not the amount of money the hospital receives from the state, but how it spends it.

"There's plenty of money wasted there right now on people who do absolutely nothing, that they could apply this to delivering health care to the indigent," said Burch.  "They're playing games. And their playing games with our lives."

Honi Goldman opposed a recent attempt by  U of L Hospital to merge with a Catholic health system -- a merger which the hospital said would have meant an infusion of cash.

The merger was vetoed by Gov. Beshear. Now, Goldman accuses the hospital of crying wolf:  "This is, 'I want to take my baseball. If you don't play my way, I'm going to take my baseball  and I'm going to leave, and you all are going to be sorry.' That's their attitude."

"And I'm sure they're doing this to bring pressure on the legislature to put more money into it," said Burch.

"Do you think it will work?" he's asked

"I hope not."

The hospital says it still seeking a partnership with another health care entity.

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