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Entire community has stake in survival of Forum, leaders say
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Left to right: Forum Health in Howland are Robert Wolleben, COO Trumbull Memorial, Walter "Buzz" Pishkur CEO and Michael Seelman, Forum Northside COO
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U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles
Forum Health
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The officials expect many changes at the Mahoning Valley health-care system.
YOUNGSTOWN — Area elected officials say it is crucial for Forum Health to survive but warn that changes in the basic structure of the health-care system likely will be necessary for that to happen.
“We need to get behind Forum Health, but there is no silver bullet or free ride” with which to correct Forum’s financial problems, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.
Ryan was among a number of area officials who met Monday 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,” said Ryan after the meeting.
“There will be a different Forum Health,” agreed Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams. Costs have to match the revenues, and sacrifices on the part of employees and staff and the community will have to be made, he said.
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 viable, Williams said.
Forum has initiated a series of meetings with employees, elected officials and the general public to explain the health care system’s financial situation, said Walter J. Pishkur, Forum president and chief executive officer.
The health care system filed for protection under protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here on March 16.
Monday’s meeting provided a glimpse into the Forum Health of the future, said one official. The brightest part is that the plan is designed so that no one will lose a job, and none of its facilities will close.
However, other officials, including Ryan, said they need to know more about Forum’s plan before they can determine specifically how they can help.
Ryan said he does not foresee Forum getting any federal stimulus money for operations, but said the health-care system might be eligible to apply for some stimulus funds for capital projects.
This could fit into Forum’s plan to re-establish itself in the Boardman area to serve that population and rebuild the patient referral conduit to Northside Medical Center that was lost when Forum sold Beeghly Medical Center.
State Sen. Capri Cafaro said the community recognizes that Forum Health needs to continue. But, she said, there is a reality to be faced, because of the economy and the increase in indigent care and the number of Medicaid and Medicare patients.
Cafaro, D-32nd, of Liberty, said that Forum Health should consider diversifying the type of health care it provides, such as moving more heavily into rehabilitation, to fit the needs of the community.
Besides Northside Medical Center, the major Forum Health units are Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland. It also operates various laboratories and urgent care facilities around the Mahoning Valley.
Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien said TMH is the city’s largest employer, and as such, is crucial to the city’s well-being in terms of access to quality health care and taxes paid to the city. He said TMH represents $1.2 million to $1.3 million a year in income tax revenues.
Pishkur said a draft of Forum’s plan, which will include a contingency plan for the disposition of Northside, is due next month.
“That doesn’t mean Northside is closing. It is just a contingency plan,” he emphasized.
Ryan said the restructuring plan is crucial to Forum getting help.
“I think the community wants to support Forum Health, but we need to see a viable restructuring plan,” he said.
alcorn@vindy.com