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Officials say Forum Health’s survival is important to the area
Forum Health
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YOUNGSTOWN — Area elected officials say they want Forum Health to survive, but for that to happen, drastic changes in the health care system are likely.
“We need to get behind Forum Health, but there is no silver bullet” with which to correct Forum’s financial problems, said U.S. Rep. Timothy Ryan, D-17th, of Niles.
Ryan was among a number of area officials who met with Forum leaders for an update on the hospital’s efforts to right itself financially.
“We need to give Forum a chance to succeed. But when it is all said and done, it probably won’t look like the Forum Health of old,” Ryan said.
“There will be a different Forum Health. Costs have to match the revenues, and sacrifices on the part of employees and the community will have to be made,” said Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams.
Despite the like changes, Williams said that everybody in the community has a vested interest in Forum’s survival. Even it’s largest competitor, Humility of Mary Health Partners, has said Northside Medical Center needs to remain a viable entity, he said.
Forum has begun a series of meetings with employees, elected officials and the general public to explain the health care system’s situation now that it has filed for protection under protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here. Forum took the bankruptcy action March 16.
alcorn@vindy.com