Ohio AG files court entry in Steward bankruptcy

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — Ohio Attorney General David Yost filed a response in federal bankruptcy court in Texas in support of an objection to the closing of Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital to allow more time for bidding on the facilities.

The paperwork was entered on the docket Friday. The postponement of closure would extend to Nov. 20.

Yost said in his filing that he is an interested party in his role to “protect the physical and financial well-being of Ohioans, including preservation of accessible, quality health care throughout Trumbull County and the surrounding region.”

He also indicated that he is concerned about surrounding local hospitals that may not be staffed or equipped to handle the increased influx of emergency medical cases if Trumbull is forced to close.

Yost wrote that hospitals are a financial driver in the community and that a sale would provide a steadier cash flow to the community, specifically mentioning the potential buyer Warren City Hospital Inc., Western Reserve Health Education, Inc.

“Moreover, the hiring and retention of key employees for the continued operations would be, in all likelihood, more successful if the facilities remained open and transitioned to a new owner/operator,” Yost wrote.

In the past five years, Ohio Medicaid has expended the following amounts to the two hospitals, “demonstrating the vital services provided to the area residents which need to continue,” Yost wrote.

Trumbull Regional Medical Center (Trumbull Memorial Hospital was listed in the filing)

2019 – $15,824,979
2020 – $15, 872,166
2021 – $32,056,800
2022 – $30,323,964
2024 YTD – $13,183,266

Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital

2019 – $2,520,124
2020 – $2,065,311
2021 – $4,098,747
2022 – $4,882,906
2023 – $3,688,792
2024 YTD – $6,608,730

The Ohio Nurses Association issued a statement Friday on Yost’s filing saying it’s encouraging to see the support, but the union called on Yost to stay vigilant and for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to take action.

“It is crucial for AG Yost and his office to stay actively engaged in this fight moving forward. We continue to urge Governor DeWine to take decisive action to ensure these hospitals remain open. We are calling on him to meet with stakeholders, support legislative efforts, and use his influence to advocate for the full resumption of services at Hillside and Trumbull. The future of healthcare in our community depends on it.

Ohio Nurses Association.

An emergency hearing looking to extend the closure deadline and a possible change in ownership for Trumbull Regional, Hillside, and its satellite facilities has been scheduled for Tuesday in Texas, according to a court document.

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