WARREN, Ohio - After closing its doors nearly four months ago, the future of the Insight Hospitals in Trumbull County has taken a step forward

Insight received its Medicare licensing for the hospitals, which is what we're told was stopping the facilities from opening back up. 

There is no set date for reopening Trumbull County, but employees were sent an email saying it is one step closer to the finish line”

“We are pleased to announce that we have received the Medicare number for Trumbull!

While we do not yet have a definitive reopening date, we wanted to share this exciting milestone with you, as it brings us one step closer to the finish line. We will be in touch in the coming days to coordinate and provide additional information regarding the reopening timeline.

Thank you for your continued support.”

While employees are excited to see this step to reopening, there is a question on how many will return.

“Folks would really want to come back, but we don't want to put your financial future in such risk. You know, people have families they need to take care of and you don't want to go back to a job that's just going to close again in a couple of months,” said Chrissy Lewis, SEIU District 1199 Union representative.

According to Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez, Insight Hospital has received its Medicare Licensing ID which will allow the hospital to reopen.

Hernandez said the news of its licensing ID came from a meeting between him and Holly Gross, Insight's attorney.


The attorney also told Hernandez they are still waiting for a former approval letter, which is required before continuing the Ohio Medicaid provider enrollment process.

21 News was told the hospitals' Medicare and Medicaid licensing was under Steward, which Insight says led to the hospitals closing back in March. 

“We have been very very set back by this closure. And for them to be able to come back, get their own licensing to bill directly instead of having to go through Steward,” said Hernandez. “You want to see it happen, you’re praying for it to happen, but there are some obstacles for them to hire their workforce and get the equipment that is needed, you know, to operate.”

Hernandez said he's optimistic about the hospital reopening, but still has questions.

 “Are you going to be able to hire the workforce back? If you do come back, do you have a substantial amount of money, enough, your bottom line, to be able to operate this hospital, and are you here for the long haul?” said Hernandez.

Lewis said Insight stopped updating employees after just a few meetings. She said the silence made her lose hope.

 “We were pretty much thinking that it was never going to happen. It’s just been so long and there’s been such little information,” said Lewis. “They stopped having the meetings with us. That’s where we got really really upset because we had a real lack of information. Even if they would have had a meeting with us and just said listen, there’s nothing new, but we’re still working on it. We would have felt better than not having any meeting at all,” Lewis.

A meeting with Insight and the commissioners was set for July 22 but that has been moved to August 5.

Insight Health CEO and Director Dr. Jawad Shaw is expected to be at the meeting.