An Insight spokesman announced the action Wednesday in an email. The move was in response to Ohio Department of Health’s notice on Monday that it would revoke Insight Hospital and Medical Center Trumbull’s license in mid-December if it did not address violations reported Nov. 17 by its inspectors. “The tumultuous Steward bankruptcy significantly affected health care in Trumbull County,” an Insight spokesman wrote. “In those difficult circumstances, Insight has done its best with a non-profit approach to resurrect the hospital.” The state health department, Insight charged, placed “many regulatory hurdles and barriers” in the Warren hospital’s path. “In fact, the department’s roadblocks affected the (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) certification, and then, after affirming compliance with the state hospital license on Oct. 14 prior to reopening, it took additional adverse actions against the hospital,” according to the statement. “We strongly disagree with the Ohio Department of Health’s assessment, insinuations and actions to publicly revoke the hospital license as the clinical and facility care has been outstanding.” Insight charged that ODH’s “inaccurate accusations” have set back the Warren hospital’s re-opening process. “The hospital is not able to function in a sustainable manner,” the Insight email said. “Therefore, hospital operations are suspended and new patients will no longer be admitted until Insight is provided with a clear determination from the Ohio Department of Health as to whether or not there is full permission and support in operating the hospital.” Insight said it had submitted a response to the department’s notice. “Once all issues are resolved, we will be in a position to chart the best plan forward,” it stated. Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said Wednesday that he has maintained contact with Insight officials while monitoring the work done at Insight Trumbull. “I do know that they’re committed to putting the proper investments in the facility, particularly at this front end phase of emergency care that has taken place,” Franklin said. “I know that to be a fact. Once these regulatory issues are cleared up, they’ll be able to function properly. “I do understand without the CMS certification in hand and those regulatory questions why they made a decision, even though I don’t like it.” Insight first suspended operations at 3 p. m. March 27 at all of its county locations, including Insight Rehabilitation Hospital Hillside, Howland. As part of its reopening plan, Insight pursued certification through CMS, a federal agency that provides coverage reimbursement to facilities serving Medicare and Medicaid patients. A phone call took place the morning of Oct. 14 in which U. S. Sen. Bernie Moreno spoke to ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff about the hospital’s status, an ODH spokesman said in an email. At 9: 30 a. m. the state agency gave Insight permission to reopen. Moreno also talked to Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of CMS, about Insight’s federal licensing. The narrative provided to the media was that Medicare and Medicaid certification had been obtained. In fact, CMS terminated ties with Insight Trumbull and Insight Hillside on Oct. 10, according to documents obtained through a public records request. An Insight legal representative discussed the matter July 5. “Insight has received its Medicare license, which paves the way for us to apply through the Ohio Department of Medicaid,” the attorney said. Insight CEO Dr. Jawad Shah spoke with federal, state and local officials Aug. 5 and pledged to reopen Insight Trumbull “within weeks.” Shah said at the gathering Insight had to complete a few steps before opening its East Market Street facility. He said CMS had acknowledged its change of ownership from the now-defunct Steward Health Care and that Insight was waiting to hear from the Ohio Department of Health and the Joint Commission. In an email dated Sept. 24, an Insight representative said that the health system was in communication with CMS. “We’re assessing the pathways they require to allow reopening,” the spokesman said. Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez called Insight’s announcement disheartening. “We worked very diligently with Insight, spent a lot of time with the Senator, Mayor and other commissioners,” he said. “We were very optimistic after that meeting with Bernie Moreno and Dr. Oz when they reinitiated those licenses. At least, that’s what we heard that day. “We’re hoping that maybe they find a way to reopen.” Tom Connelly, AFSCME Local 2026 president, said the closing didn’t surprise him, but its timing did. “I’m just surprised that it comes about when all my people are planning for the holidays,” he said. “I mean they just announced we’re open now and then we’re going to be closed. I just drove by the hospital, and it’s boarded up tight. “So I don’t know what’s to become of us here.” AFSCME Local 2026 represents more than 200 nurses who worked at Insight Trumbull before being laid off at the end of March. He said that at the time of Wednesday’s announcement 24 nurses had returned to work. “I just don’t know how you can work with people who lie,” Connelly said of Insight’s management. “They said that our Medicare and Medicaid was all solid now. And it was just a big falsity. “I don’t know how they think that helped anybody, because it didn’t. Even if the truth is bad, we would much rather deal with the truth.” The Ohio Nurses Association, representing Insight Hillside workers, said the closure is “a grievous blow to the residents of Warren, Trumbull County and surrounding communities. “This is more than mismanagement it is a reckless gamble with the health and well-being of patients, especially those who depend on local hospital services for emergency, acute, and rehabilitative care.” The association directed its ire at Insight leadership. “This is the direct result of Dr. Shah’s decisions and Insight’s inability or unwillingness to operate these hospitals with even the minimum level of competence or responsibility that patients, nurses, and health professionals deserve,” a union spokeswoman said. Rick Lucas, association president, said that lives are at risk without functioning hospitals. “We cannot allow corporate failures to turn this region into a health care desert. Hillside must be reopened, Trumbull Regional Medical Center must be reopened, and they must be operated by a responsible, competent health care organization that actually cares about its mission to provide safe, high-quality patient care.”.
https://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2025/11/insight-blames-agencys-hurdles-and-barriers-for-closure/