Insight Health System has surrendered its hospital license to operate in Trumbull County, the Ohio Department of Health announced Wednesday.

The Michigan-based health care system said little about its future in the aftermath of the announcement.

“Insight understands how important this hospital is to the health of the community, and we are committed to working closely with federal, state and local partners to move forward in the best way possible,” an Insight spokesperson said in an email.

Insight shut down all of its county health care services on March 27, 2025, including Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull, Warren, and Insight Rehabilitation Hospital Hillside, Howland. Except for a 43-day window in which Insight Trumbull reopened, the health system has not accepted patients for approximately nine months.

“The Ohio Department of Health has received a signed settlement from Insight officials in which Insight has agreed to surrender their hospital license,” the agency said in an email. “Once that license has been received, Insight is free to submit a new application for a hospital license.

“Of course, that process would involve ODH ensuring that Insight has met all state standards required for licensure.”

“I’m not fully aware of all the details,” Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez said Wednesday.

Hernandez referenced critical state inspection reports and negative news coverage of the East Market Street hospital and Insight when he recently spoke to a company spokesperson.

“I know that the disparities surrounding the maintenance issues and things that they evidently did not put up to scale,” Hernandez said. “I imagine it was overwhelming for them.

“They were watching some news outlets, media outlets. They watch the news; they read the paper. This could be an excuse, but they said there’s a lot of negativity saying that the hospital wasn’t up to standards.”

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said he talked to an Insight representative Wednesday afternoon. Franklin said he was told CEO Dr. Jawad Shah and his staff were working with state regulators and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to obtain the necessary certifications to operate.

The issue of Insight turning over its hospital license was not discussed, Franklin said.

“I’m not saying that the news is wrong,” Franklin said. “I just know there’s been a lot of miscommunication and misstatements. I’m not going to say that they surrendered their license. If that was the truth, I would have a different response.”

The mayor said his focus remains on accessible quality health care for the city’s residents.

“It’s my hope that Insight, or any other potential operator, continues the work needed to reopen the hospital,” Franklin said.

INSIGHT HISTORY

Insight Health System’s appearance on the Mahoning Valley horizon occurred in September 2024 when it was named interim operator of the bankrupt Steward Health Care properties in the county. As part of its bankruptcy, Steward had planned to close its local facilities by Sept. 20, 2024.

One of Insight’s first moves was to trim its workforce at the end of October 2024. Neither the hospital system nor affected unions released the numbers involved.

Citing money issues over Steward’s handling of patient payments, Insight suspended operations March 27 at all of its county facilities. Prior to that, Insight issued layoff notices to Insight Hillside’s nursing staff and health workers.

Insight Trumbull received state permission to resume operations Oct. 14. However, Ohio Department of Health inspectors uncovered a number of building violations outlined in a Nov. 19 report that required Insight to take action or lose its license.

Insight announced its second closure Nov. 26. The health system and the Department of Health conducted a conference call Dec. 16 to discuss the matter. However, no hearing date had occurred at the time Insight surrendered its license.

MERCY HEALTH RESPONSE

Insight’s absence in Warren has left St. Joseph Warren Hospital as the county’s primary health care and emergency service provider.

Dr. James Kravec, chief clinical officer of Mercy Health-Youngstown, said the health system “remains focused on consistently meeting the needs of Trumbull County and the surrounding communities. We continuously assess local health care demand and expand our services to ensure residents have reliable access to high‑quality care.”

Kravec noted the investments Mercy Health is making in the Valley, including the freestanding emergency department in Champion that is under construction and scheduled to open at the end of this year.

“We are also expanding access to primary care with several new locations in Trumbull County, increasing same‑day care options through a new walk-in clinic, and strengthening recovery support with a new rehabilitation site,” he said. “The new Mercy Health Behavioral Hospital will further expand access to essential behavioral health services close to home.”

Kravec said Mercy Health is enhancing its specialty and acute‑care services within its existing hospitals.

“Mercy Health-St. Joseph Warren Hospital is growing its cardiac care capabilities to better serve patients with complex cardiovascular needs, and we are expanding emergency department access on the St. Joseph campus to ensure timely, high‑quality care for a growing patient population.”

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CONTACTED

Hernandez said he has contacted University Hospitals, which is based in Cleveland, about entering the county.

“I did reach out to University Hospitals’ government affairs division and received word back from them,” he said. “I’ve been actively looking for maybe a suitor or an interest either to rehab (Insight Trumbull) or be interested in a new hospital.

“University Hospitals told me they don’t rule it out. We’ll stay in touch.”

Elyse Mulligan, director of University Hospitals’ Government & Community Relations, responded to Hernandez in an email.

“I connected with the leads of UH clinical strategy, and they shared that at this time UH is not considering expanding its clinical presence in Trumbull County,” she wrote. “However, as you know, the health care landscape is changing ever so rapidly, thus if anything happens in the near future and our plans change, I will certainly let you know.”

Gov. Mike DeWine commented last month about Insight Health System in an interview with Youngstown media outlet WFMJ.

“It’s my understanding that Cleveland Clinic certainly has an interest in trying to be helpful. … I know they have some interest,” he said.

When asked Wednesday about DeWine’s comments, his spokesman said, “I am unaware of any update regarding the Clinic.”

As to what role it would have locally, the Clinic said, “If we have something to share, someone from the team will respond.”

CHAMBER’S VIEW

Despite the news, the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber touted the health care services available.

“The decision by Insight to surrender its hospital license does not change the fact that the Mahoning Valley is served by a strong, high-quality health care network,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Chamber. “Residents continue to have access to excellent care provided by trusted systems, including Mercy Health, Southwoods Health and Akron Children’s Hospital, along with other physicians, providers and medical partners.”

State Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, whose district includes a portion of Trumbull County, discussed Insight prior to the Department of Health’s announcement.

“I’ve been probably reaching out or talking with their government folks maybe once a month and as recently as maybe three weeks ago,” he said. “I asked them, ‘Is there anything I can do to help with the Department of Health?'”

Thomas said Insight’s representatives said no help was needed and the reopening process was moving along.

“They seem to have done a lot and moved a lot, so I’d hate for there to have to be a whole start over,” he said.

His inclination is for Insight to move forward with its plans.

Majority Whip Nick Santucci, R-Niles, called Insight’s decision to relinquish its license “deeply concerning for the people of Warren, Trumbull County, and the surrounding communities.

“Access to reliable, high-quality health care is not a luxury; it is essential to the wellbeing of our residents and the long-term stability of our region.”

In a news release, Santucci said he shared the “frustration and uncertainty felt by patients, families and health care workers who have endured repeated disruptions tied to changes in ownership, licensing challenges and operational instability over the past several years. Our community deserves clarity, accountability and a sustainable path forward.”

He added that the state representatives and senators are advocates for their communities.

“The Ohio Department of Health and the governor’s office play a critical role in overseeing hospital licensing, regulatory compliance, and ensuring continuity of care, and their leadership is essential in helping stabilize and support the health care system in Trumbull County,” Santucci said.

He added he will work with Valley and regional economic agencies to “recruit a new, reputable hospital system that can provide long-term, dependable health care services for our residents.”