OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — CHI Health has laid off 156 workers across Nebraska and southwestern Iowa — about 1 percent of its workforce in the area.

The employees were notified on Tuesday.

CHI Health CEO Cliff Robertson says Catholic Health Initiatives, that nationwide system that includes CHI Health, last year asked its regional networks for cutbacks.

In its explanation for the layoffs, CHI Health didn’t discuss its contract squabble with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. CHI has acknowledged that its patient load has dropped as a result of leaving the Blue Cross network.

Blue Cross says CHI Health charges 10 to 30 percent more than other Omaha hospitals. CHI Health says those figures are misleading and that its total cost of treatment is lower even if certain services cost more.