Insight working to reopen Trumbull County Hospitals

A surprise announcement from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost about the future of the Insight hospitals in Trumbull County. 

In a release Friday morning, Yost said he'd met with Insight reps earlier this week and supports their plans to reopen. Specifics are still vague, but a source told 21 News there is a plan in place from Insight that could allow the hospital to find a way forward. 

This plan is being brought to light a month after Senator Bernie Moreno said Insight is stepping aside. 

With there are many that are excited about the news, Insight is now being greeted with cautious optimism. 

“The closing did not happen very smoothly and our workers were really put through hell,” said Chrissy Lewis, coordinator for SEIU District 1199.

Lewis said the union is still meeting with Insight weekly, but they are not being told a lot of details.

“The vagueness is very, making us very uneasy. We would like details. You know dates, times, who's coming,” said Lewis. “A lot of folks had to take other jobs just to maintain their families. We’re hoping when it comes down to it, that when they get the phone call, they will be able to work something out and come back.”

Lewis said one employee in the information technology department was called back to work, but nobody else that she represents.

A source told 21 News the group has also been speaking with Moreno's office, Governor Mike DeWine, Yost, and state legislators.

There are still major questions, though. What condition are the buildings in? Are there any employees left? And why has Insight refused to be more transparent with the public, even now? 

Commissioner Rick Hernandez asked questions to an attorney for insight Friday afternoon. He was told the group was working on separating itself from Steward.

“Unfortunately, they were operating under steward's licensing under medicaid and medicare. And that's what really threw them under the bus, when they didn't receive any monies from medicaid and medicare,” said Hernandez. “They’ll basically be on their own, with their own licensing, then they will be able to bill medicare, they will be able to bill medicaid. And they feel that they  can make that work, you know, with that license.”

As Insight works to move forward, Hernandez said those in the community are ready to offer their support.

“The Attorney General and Senator Moreno’s office are ready to assist any way that they can. And I would say that would be the same with the commissioners and I’m sure with the mayor of Warren, and council,” said Hernandez.

It's not yet clear exactly what Insight told the attorney general in their meeting. All we know is that Yost came out of the meeting with more optimism for insight's future than when he went in. We're working to learn more about what insight was able to offer. 

Hernandez is asking Insight representatives to join the mayor and other commissioners at a meeting in the coming weeks, which 21 News was told they plan to attend. 

“They do need to come to the table with all commissioners, with the mayor of Warren, and we would like to sit down, like Senator Moreno had said, and look at the balance sheet. We want to know if you’re coming in here, are you coming in the long term, which they claim they are,” said Hernandez.