WellPoint to cut 1,500 jobs

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - One of Indiana's largest employers announced major job cuts on Friday.

Indianapolis-based insurer WellPoint said the economy is forcing it to cut workers. The company said its cutting 1500 positions, 900 of those are vacant positions.

WellPoint is one of the nation's top insurers and employs more than 42,000 people, 4800 of them are in Indiana. State officials aren't surprised by the news, but add that WellPoint will continue to thrive in Indiana.

"It's a time when companies really sharpen and become more competitive and they've really got to look for savings to make sure that they can have a decent margin and clearly every company is looking for ways to save, the state government is looking for ways to save and everybody is pinching," said Jim Atterholt, Indiana Insurance Commissioner.

Atterholt said WellPoint is one of Indiana's best employers. He said any local cuts will have minimal impact.

WellPoint isn't saying what cities will take the cuts.