Forum Health official told to offer info to companies

Forum Health doesn’t have any asset purchase agreements, an official said.

YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health’s new president and chief executive officer has backed off from his statement in February about the hospital system having no campaign to sell or close any more of its facilities.

On Wednesday, Lowell Johnson revealed the hospital system has recently been approached concerning some of its Forum Health Services companies.

Further, Johnson said, “I have been directed by the Forum Board of Directors to provide access and information to these companies which could possibly purchase or partner with Forum in the ongoing delivery of these services to the patients that we are privileged to serve.”

“When we met with the local press in late February, one of our statements was that Forum Health has ceased all activity regarding a sale of our assets. That was emphatically true that day and for many days thereafter,” Johnson said.

At the time, he said the charge he was given by the Forum Health board was to be a hospital operator.

Johnson said Forum Health does not have any asset purchase agreements or partnership agreements at this time.

Also, he said, “We do not know if we will get any or when they might be forthcoming. There is really no news at this time.”

There is no change in Forum’s plans to operate its two hospitals, Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren and Northside Medical Center in Youngstown at this time. Also, none of the interest from outside parties interested in Forum Health Services companies is presently directed toward either of these two hospitals, Johnson said.

Johnson did not list Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland as one of the hospitals that Forum plans to continue to operate, or which of its Forum Health Services is involved.

alcorn@vindy.com