NEWBERRY, S.C. — Cooperative Health will close eight of its clinics starting Friday, with patients being referred to other locations beginning next week.

The organization is also laying off 80 employees, with those layoffs set to take effect on Sept. 12.

The health care group serves more than 50,000 patients across Richland, Lexington, Newberry and Fairfield counties.

One of those patients, Richard Ratliff, said while travel distance is not a major concern, the loss of staff will be felt the most.

“As far as distance doesn’t impact it a whole lot whatsoever because I mean it’s like 7 miles or 12 miles and I’m ride dependent also, but losing the staff is the biggest thing,” Ratliff said.

Ratliff, who receives care at the Little Mountain clinic, said the layoffs will be hard for workers

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