Louisville-based Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's Healthcare is eliminating 500 jobs, half of them through layoffs.Officials say its the result of the economic downturn that's affecting the health care industry nationwide, resulting in lower patient volume and more uninsured people seeking care.Spokesperson Jeff Polson says the other reductions will be made through attrition and not filling open positions."Severence packages and other assistance as appropriate is being offered to all of the team members who will be affected," he said.Some of the across-the-board layoffs were effective Wednesday. Others will begin at the end of this month.