Innovation & Tech

• Southwest General deploys Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent to cut documentation burden
  Middleburg Heights-based Southwest General integrated Oracle Health’s Clinical AI Agent into its EHR, generating ~81,800 structured notes from patient conversations across 18 ambulatory specialties in one year. The tool reduced average EHR time per patient by 18.6% and after-hours work by 14.15%, freeing clinicians for more patient engagement.

“Southwest General is leveraging technologies that reduce administrative burden and allow our clinicians to focus on what matters most.” ~Jae Zayed, vice president and chief information officer

Becker’s Hospital Review | PR Newswire – Southwest General

• Cleveland Clinic partners with Luminai to automate complex referral workflows
  Cleveland Clinic selected AI startup Luminai to rewire administrative operations, beginning with referrals that involve unstructured data from faxes, validation, and multi-step coordination. Early results show over 80% automation on certain document types, significantly cutting manual processing time.

“The goal of our collaboration with Luminai is to reduce administrative burden and allow our caregivers to focus on patient care and more substantial work.” ~Rohit Chandra, Cleveland Clinic Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer.

Forbes

Policy & Regulation

• Federal Medicaid cuts and work requirements set to strain Ohio’s already short-staffed eligibility workforce
  The HR 1 reconciliation bill’s nearly $1 trillion Medicaid reduction over eight years will impose new work requirements and six-month eligibility checks instead of annual. Experts warn Ohio and other states already struggle with staffing for applications and renewals, risking delays and coverage losses for eligible residents. Jennifer Wagner and state-experienced advocates called the added load “significant additional challenges” on top of existing shortages.
  Health Policy Institute of Ohio

• Analysis flags 10 Ohio hospitals at high risk of closure from Medicaid spending cuts
  Public Citizen’s review identified 10 facilities — including Greene Memorial, Mary Rutan, Coshocton Regional, Mercy Regional, and several Cleveland Clinic and UH sites — where Medicaid and low-income patients make up 20%+ of payer mix and recent years showed losses. The Trump/Republican spending law’s Medicaid reductions could deepen financial pressure on safety-net and rural hospitals.

  The report notes nationwide risks to 446 safety-net hospitals and warns of devastating impacts on low-income and disabled patients.
  Ohio Capital Journal

Growth & Finance

• Ohio Controlling Board releases $202M rural hospital lifeline after legislative delay
  The board approved $202 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funds on April 7, unlocking grants for birthing centers, staff hiring/retention, facility upgrades, telehealth, innovation hubs, school-based health, and EMS. The Ohio Department of Health will issue RFPs for measurable care-delivery improvements. The quick release followed a brief Senate logjam, providing immediate support to keep services local and ease urban system pressure.
  Hoodline

Sources
Curated from Becker’s Hospital Review, PR Newswire, Health Policy Institute of Ohio, Ohio Capital Journal, Forbes, and Hoodline.

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Policy & Regulation

• Indiana nursing homes await $462M in delayed Medicaid supplemental payments
  Hundreds of millions in supplemental payments for Indiana’s PathWays for Aging program remain stalled as federal CMS withholds approval of the state’s payment methodology for FY2026. At least two quarterly installments are overdue, hitting 496 nursing homes hardest and forcing smaller providers to slow vendor payments. FSSA says it’s working with CMS on resolutions, including potential grandfathering, while providers push for swift action to protect operations.
  Indiana Capital Chronicle

• FSSA defends 340B changes projected to save Medicaid $20M but draw hospital fire
  Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration is moving forward with changes that would prevent Medicaid from paying full price for drugs when providers receive 340B discounts, effective July 1. Secretary Mitch Roob called it unfair for taxpayers to subsidize hospital profits and construction; critics, including the Indiana Hospital Association and Damien Center, warn of reduced access and a “ripple disaster” across care.

  “Indiana’s objective is straightforward: to ensure 340B operates as intended and that Medicaid dollars benefit the individuals the program is meant to serve.” ~Indiana FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob

  WISH-TV

Growth & Finance

• Beacon Health System taps Sarah Paturalski as president of Beacon Dowagiac, names additional interim leaders
  Beacon Health System named Sarah Paturalski, MBA, MSN, RN, as president of Beacon Dowagiac effective this summer after a national search. Paturalski, a longtime nursing and clinical leader at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, helped drive major expansions and workforce initiatives. Interim roles were also announced for nursing/clinical services at Memorial Hospital and operations at Three Rivers Health to strengthen operations across the system’s northern Indiana and southwest Michigan footprint.
  Beacon Health System

Innovation & Tech

• Reid Health goes live as early adopter of Epic’s Emmie AI patient assistant
  Reid Health in Richmond became only the second U.S. hospital system to implement Epic’s Emmie, an AI virtual assistant that delivers trusted, clinically connected answers and guidance to patients. CIO Muhammad Siddiqui said the move keeps patients inside secure health system tools instead of public AI, reducing friction and supporting digital equity in a rural service area. The system will track engagement and navigation improvements in year one.
  Becker’s Hospital Review

Workforce & Leadership

• IU Health CEO Dennis Murphy shares “what not to do” leadership lessons from medical drama ‘The Pitt’
  Indiana University Health President and CEO Dennis Murphy used scenes from “The Pitt” to warn hospital leaders against casual address like “Hey, Rockstar!” to clinical staff and against fragmented crisis communication during events like cyberattacks. He stressed using professional titles to show respect and maintaining pre-planned, organization-wide information cascades in emergencies.
  Becker’s Hospital Review

• Schneck Medical Center partners with Community Health Network to expand local heart and vascular care
  Starting June 8, Schneck Medical Center in Seymour will offer full-time outpatient cardiology services on campus through Community Physician Network Heart and Vascular Care. Board-certified cardiologists Karamchand Paul, MD, and Deovrat Singh, MD, will see patients weekdays, keeping routine care local while providing seamless access to advanced services when needed.
  Schneck Medical Center

Sources
Curated from Indiana Capital Chronicle, Beacon Health System, Becker’s Hospital Review, WISH-TV, Schneck Medical Center, and supporting reports.

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Policy & Regulation

• Medicaid cuts threaten 9 Ohio hospitals with closure or service reductions
  A Public Citizen report flags nine Ohio hospitals—many rural Critical Access or Sole Community facilities like Coshocton Regional Medical Center, Mary Rutan Hospital, and several Cleveland Clinic sites—as high-risk due to heavy Medicaid reliance and recent losses. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed last July, slashes $911 billion in federal Medicaid and CHIP spending over a decade. Ohio’s six at-risk hospitals sit in Republican districts; three fall in Rep. Shontel Brown’s district. Rural communities with higher poverty could face dire access gaps despite the law’s $50 billion Rural Health Fund.
  Tiffin Ohio

• Up to 356,000 Ohioans projected to lose Medicaid coverage under new Trump spending law
  Work requirements and six-month redeterminations in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could strip coverage from as many as 356,000 Ohioans by 2028, per Urban Institute modeling—roughly half the 2014 ACA expansion population. Another 113,000 already dropped ACA plans after enhanced tax credits expired. Most affected individuals work, attend school, or manage caregiving/health issues; self-employed and older adults face steep verification hurdles. Arkansas’s 2018 experiment showed coverage drops without employment gains.
  Ohio Capital Journal

• Ohio Medicaid launches Phase 2 of Next Generation MyCare Ohio
  Starting April 1, the program expands to 10 more counties including Ashtabula, Defiance, Erie, and Licking, bringing coordinated Medicare-Medicaid benefits to additional dual-eligible Ohioans. Four health plans now deliver person-centered care with enhanced behavioral health, transportation, mobility supports, and community-based long-term services. Statewide rollout continues through 2026; Buckeye Health Plan sits out new enrollments. Goal: slash administrative burden and improve outcomes for over 250,000 members.
  Ohio Department of Medicaid

Growth & Finance

• Trinity Hospital in Steubenville pays $1.7M to settle alleged Stark Law violations
  Trinity Hospital Holding Company agreed to pay $1.7 million to resolve claims it maintained improper rental arrangements with two referring physicians from 2014–2020 that exceeded fair market value. The self-disclosed settlement credits the system’s cooperation, independent investigation, and prompt remediation. No admission of liability. The case underscores ongoing federal scrutiny of financial relationships that could improperly influence referrals.

  U.S. Department of Justice

Innovation & Tech

• University Hospitals earns 2026 Innovation in Regulatory & Compliance Award
  University Hospitals won RLDatix’s top compliance honor at the Connected Healthcare Summit in Nashville for integrating policies, regulatory standards, audit data, and clinical content into one accessible system. The move streamlines compliance, boosts documentation quality, and supports safer, more consistent care.

“Elevating compliance is essential to advancing safety, care quality, and better outcomes for every patient we serve.” ~Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer

University Hospitals News

Workforce & Leadership

• Ohio State Wexner Medical Center reports strong gains in workplace safety
  Targeted efforts—including de-escalation training for over 1,100 team members, expanded Behavioral Emergency Response Team deployments (994 in six months), patient behavior flags, and weapons detection screening—delivered results. Clinical support calls and incidents dropped 25% since 2021 despite system growth; most calls remain precautionary. Nearly 1 million ED screenings and 1.2 million public entrance screenings show 97–99.8% clear rates.

“These results show what is possible when we all share the responsibility of workplace safety.” ~Elizabeth Seely, Chief Administrative Officer and Workplace Safety Steering Committee co-chair

Ohio State Wexner Medical Center

Sources: Curated from Ohio Capital Journal, Tiffin Ohio, Ohio Department of Medicaid, U.S. Department of Justice, University Hospitals, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, and related reporting (April 2026).

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Growth & Finance

• Riverview Health secures naming rights for Noblesville arena
  Riverview Health became the naming sponsor of the new 3,400-seat multi-purpose arena at Innovation Mile in Noblesville, now called Riverview Health Arena. The deal, announced March 25-26 with the City of Noblesville and Parkview Health as operational partner, positions the venue as home to the Noblesville Boom (Pacers G League affiliate) while anchoring a broader innovation, sports, and entertainment district. Health-focused programming, including colorectal cancer screening events, will tie clinical care to community wellness and economic development. Leaders emphasized health as connection, movement, and inspiration beyond hospital walls.

Riverview Health Press Release | Beckers Hospital Review

Policy & Regulation

• Community Health agrees to PILOT payments for Westfield facility
  Community Health will make payments in lieu of taxes for its Westfield facility, resolving potential property tax disputes while supporting local government services. The arrangement reflects ongoing negotiations between nonprofit health providers and Indiana communities over tax-exempt status for new or expanded sites. Details on exact payment amounts remain limited in early reporting, but the move signals pragmatic collaboration amid growth pressures in Hamilton County.
  IBJ {Paywall}

Innovation & Access

• IU Health awards $543K grant to Bloomington’s Healing Hands Outreach Center
  IU Health committed $543,422 from its Community Impact Investment Fund to Healing Hands Outreach Center, boosting services for low-income expectant and postpartum mothers in Bloomington — including those who are or were incarcerated. Funding will train community doulas, expand postpartum support groups, and tackle social determinants of health to combat Indiana’s elevated infant and maternal mortality rates. The grant enables capacity growth after the center served over 40,000 individuals last year.
  IU Health Press Release

Workforce & Leadership

• IU Health names Mark Palmenter as new Chief Marketing Officer
  IU Health tapped Mark Palmenter, former Chief Marketing Officer at Acadia Healthcare, as its new Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. With Harvard undergraduate and MBA credentials, Palmenter brings proven expertise in enterprise marketing, brand strategy, and expanding care access across behavioral health networks. He will lead a cross-functional marketing team to strengthen patient and consumer connections while advancing IU Health’s business objectives and reputation.
  IU Health Press Release | Beckers Hospital Review

Policy & Infrastructure

• $1.98B VA hospital rebuild proposed for Indianapolis
  A proposed $1.98 billion rebuild of the aging Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center could deliver a major economic and care upgrade for Indianapolis veterans. The modern 840,000-square-foot facility would expand acute, specialty, and primary care services while addressing chronic infrastructure problems. Included in President Trump’s 2027 federal budget proposal, the project awaits Congressional approval but promises construction jobs and long-term operational boosts for the region. Senators Jim Banks and Todd Young highlighted its importance for veteran access.
  Indianapolis Today / National Today

Sources: Curated from official press releases, Becker’s Hospital Review, Indianapolis Business Journal, and local reporting. All links verified as of April 6, 2026.

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Quick Take: Hospitals as the Core Cost Driver

Hospitals remain the largest single slice of U.S. health spending—~31% in 2024—and drove 40% of national health expenditure (NHE) growth from 2022-2024 ($277B of $692B total increase, per KFF Feb 2026 analysis). While drugs grab headlines for volatility, hospitals’ steady, massive scale (post-COVID utilization rebound + price acceleration) makes them the “immovable object” in affordability debates. Amid bipartisan scrutiny of nonprofit tax-exempt status and calls for site-neutral reforms, hospitals face pressure to justify their share of the $5.3T+ system.

$5.3T+ Trillion National Health Expenditure (Updated)

Source: Trendline Health visualization based on CMS NHE (latest 2024 actuals + projections). Hospitals now ~$1.635T in 2024 (31%), up from earlier estimates. Edition 6 projected ~$1.51T for 2025; 2024 actuals hit $1.635T (8.9% growth), aligning with rebound trends.

The Recent Numbers in Context

Per KFF (Feb 11, 2026) and CMS data: NHE rose from $4.6T (2022) to $5.3T (2024), +$692B. Hospitals contributed $277B (40%), far outpacing physician/clinical (22%), drugs (11%). Hospital growth: 10.6% (2023) and 8.9% (2024) vs. overall 7.4%/7.2%. Drivers: Post-COVID rebound in use/intensity (outpatient visits +44% long-term) + prices (3.4% in 2024, fastest since 2007). Commercial prices grew faster than Medicare/Medicaid.

Long-term (2005-2024): Hospitals +$1T (from $609B to $1.6T), 32% of total NHE growth. GDP share: 4.7% → 5.6% (projected 6.4% by 2033). CMS projects hospitals hold ~32% growth share through 2033, with NHE to $8.6T and 20.3% GDP.

Understanding the Hospital Ecosystem: Consolidation, Nonprofit Model, and Scrutiny

Hospitals consolidated heavily pre-2025 (Edition 6 noted PE slowdown via FTC blocks). Nonprofit status dominates (~60% of hospitals), granting tax exemptions (~$13-37B annually) in exchange for “community benefits” (charity care, Medicaid shortfalls, education/research).

Current backlash: 2025 House hearings scrutinized if benefits match exemptions. Some studies show $149B benefits vs. $13B exemptions (11:1 ratio per AHA/EY 2026), but critics (GAO, Families USA) highlight low charity care relative to tax breaks, aggressive billing/debt pursuit for eligible patients, and “mission drift” toward profits. Bipartisan calls for clearer standards, more oversight, or reforms (e.g., revoke exemptions for low charity providers). Vertical integration (hospitals owning clinics/physicians) drives steering and higher prices, echoing PBM issues.

Why Hospitals Are the Immovable Object for Disruption

Hospitals embody entrenched economics: High fixed costs, essential services, limited substitutes. Growth from outpatient shift + price leverage (especially commercial) pressures premiums/employers. Nonprofit scrutiny adds political heat—potential site-neutral payments or tax changes could shave billions but risk access in rural/underserved areas.

Stay tuned for Part 3: Physician Consolidation in our series.

Bending the Trendline: Five Stories Defining Early 2026 Momentum

Building on Edition 7, these hospital-focused developments show potential shifts:

1. Site-Neutral Payment Reforms Gain Traction – Momentum from 2025 reconciliation/bills pushes Medicare alignment across sites, potentially curbing $10-20B+ in outpatient inflation.

2. Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Scrutiny Intensifies – Post-hearings, proposals for stricter charity care minimums or reporting; could redirect billions if exemptions tied to performance.

3. Rural Hospital Aid and Closures Watch – Reconciliation funds ($50B over 5 years) aim to stabilize, but margins remain thin (2-7%); preventing waves of closures bends access/cost curves.

4. AI and Operational Efficiencies Scale in Hospitals – Beyond diagnostics, AI for revenue cycle/readmissions yields 10-15% savings pilots; wider adoption could offset labor/supply inflation.

5. Employer/Plan Steering to Lower-Cost Sites – With 7-9% trends, more carve-outs/direct contracts bypass high-cost hospitals, pressuring consolidation and pricing.

Policy & Regulation

• Braun touts 2026 healthcare wins targeting medical debt and rural access
  Governor Mike Braun highlighted new laws signed this year to ease burdens on Hoosier families. HEA 1271 and SEA 225 require hospitals to connect patients with financial assistance before collections and bar aggressive debt pursuits for non-compliant facilities. HEA 1358 mandates rural health rotations and nutrition education for medical students to bolster the doctor pipeline in underserved areas.

  “These are concrete steps to fix the broken health care system making it harder for Hoosiers to make ends meet at the kitchen table.” ~Governor Mike Braun

  21Alive News

• Indiana joins Vermont in capping soaring hospital prices
  Despite political differences, Indiana and Vermont enacted 2025 policies to limit hospital charges for commercially insured patients amid national price pressures. The moves aim to curb costs that strain families and employers.

  The Economist {Paywall}

• Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program advances with $207M grant and new committee
  The Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), backed by a nearly $207 million five-year federal grant, aims to boost access, innovation, workforce, and care models in rural communities. Senator Eric Koch (R-Bedford) joined the Region 7 Advisory Committee to guide local needs assessment and grants across eight counties. The initiative emphasizes community-led solutions for prevention, chronic care, behavioral health, and technology.

IN.gov Grow Rural Health | WBIW

• Report: Indiana lags nation in primary and preventative care
  Indiana trails national averages with only 66 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents (vs. 75 nationally) and primary care claiming just 6% of employer health spending (vs. 30% elsewhere). Children’s well-visit rates and many cancer screenings fall short, though adult checkups and adolescent mental health access beat benchmarks. Experts say underinvestment drives higher costs and worse outcomes; solutions include expanded scope of practice and more residencies.

Indiana Capital Chronicle

Growth & Finance

• IU Health Bloomington shows IRS loss but strong state-reported surplus
  IU Health Bloomington reported a $20 million loss on 2024 IRS filings—the third straight year—while posting a $120 million operating surplus to the state. Differences stem from accounting methods and which affiliated entities are included. Systemwide, IU Health logged nearly $1 billion in profit, mostly from investments. The conflicting numbers fuel ongoing debate over hospital financial health.

  Spencer Evening World

• Indiana Orthopedic Institute expands to full musculoskeletal care
  Indiana Orthopedic Institute is growing beyond hip and knee replacements with new spinal care and foot/ankle service lines launching this summer and fall. Fellowship-trained surgeon Dr. Daniel Williams joins in May for sports medicine and general orthopedics. A new Greenwood outpatient clinic opened March 30, adding to recent walk-in urgent care expansions. Founder and CEO Dr. Michael Meneghini said the model delivers “high-quality, efficient care” that resonates with patients and employers.

  “This high-quality, efficient care is attractive to patients and employers providing their health benefits.” ~Dr. Michael Meneghini, Indiana Orthopedic Institute’s founder and CEO

  Indiana Orthopedic Institute

Workforce & Leadership

• Perry County Memorial Hospital names new CEO
  Tell City-based Perry County Memorial Hospital tapped longtime insider Nick Harley as CEO. Harley previously served as the hospital’s COO and vice president of ambulatory operations.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Sources: Curated from public reports and announcements, March 2026.

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Policy & Regulation

• Ohio House advances prior authorization reform to cut care delays.
  The Ohio House passed House Bill 220 on March 25, requiring insurers and Medicaid to honor dosage change approvals, banning appeal fees and retroactive denials for mental health and substance use treatment, and mandating clinical peer reviewers. Sponsored by Rep. Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown), the bill aims to slash bureaucratic hurdles and put patients first. It now heads to the Senate.

  “House Bill 220 is about putting patients back at the center of health care.” ~State Representative Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown)

  Ohio House News

Growth & Finance

• Walsh-Turner joint venture finishes $1.5B Ohio State University Hospital.
  The 1.9-million-square-foot, 26-story facility with 820 beds, 24 ORs, expanded ICU and NICU capacity, and advanced tech features reached substantial completion ahead of schedule. The project also added 148 beds to the adjacent cancer center and a new central sterile facility. It strengthens OSU Wexner’s role as a top academic medical destination.

  Turner Construction

• OhioHealth kicks off major cancer and ED expansions.
  Construction is underway on a $226M, five-story outpatient cancer center at OhioHealth’s Columbus administrative campus, consolidating radiation, medical and surgical oncology, infusion, and supportive services with completion eyed for late 2028. Separately, the system launched a $65M project at Pickerington Methodist Hospital to add 28 ED rooms (total 44) and 16 inpatient beds, addressing surging local demand.

  

  OhioHealth Cancer Center
  OhioHealth Pickerington Expansion

Innovation & Tech

• Cleveland Clinic launches Hospital Care at Home across Northeast Ohio.
  Starting at Fairview and Avon hospitals, the program delivers acute hospital-level care—including remote monitoring, in-home IV therapy, labs, and imaging—for conditions like COPD, sepsis, pneumonia, and select post-op cases. Patients receive tablets, vital sign devices, and 24/7 virtual command center support within a 25-mile radius. The model, already proven in Florida with over 4,000 patients, aims to improve recovery while reducing readmissions.

  Cleveland Clinic Newsroom

Workforce & Leadership

• Cleveland Clinic and OSU Wexner announce key executive moves.
  Cleveland Clinic expanded Jorge Guzman, MD’s role to executive vice president of U.S. markets overseeing Northeast Ohio and Florida, while Kelly Hancock, DNP, added marketing and philanthropy oversight. At OSU Wexner Medical Center, Beth Carlson joined as chief revenue officer, bringing deep revenue cycle experience from WVU Medicine. These shifts signal tighter alignment and revenue focus amid system growth.

  Beckers – Cleveland Clinic Moves
  Beckers – OSU CRO

Behavioral Health & Access

• Sisters of Charity Health System pledges $3M for new Cleveland behavioral health crisis center.
  The commitment supports The Centers’ 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood, offering immediate stabilization, withdrawal management, and connections to ongoing care in a “living room” model. It will reduce ER and justice system reliance and integrate with the upcoming Sister Ignatia Gavin Center for Addiction Medicine. The center is slated to open in fall 2026.

  “This is not just an investment in a facility, it’s an investment in people, in dignity and in the future of our community.” ~Michael Goar, President and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System

  Sisters of Charity

Rural & Pediatric Highlights

• OhioHealth Van Wert earns national rural hospital recognition.
  OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital landed on the National Rural Health Association’s 2026 Top 20 Rural Community Hospitals list, evaluated on quality, outcomes, patient experience, and financial metrics. The honor underscores strong performance among critical access and PPS rural facilities nationwide. Recognition is set for May at the NRHA conference.

  NRHA Top 20

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo plans $100M+ outpatient expansion.
  The system committed $100–150M over five years to build two new child-friendly outpatient facilities in northwest Ohio, adding primary/specialty clinics, diagnostics, therapy, and behavioral health services. The investment will create hundreds of jobs, reduce travel to Columbus, and boost local provider recruitment, with openings targeted for 2028–2030.

  “[Nationwide Children’s] continued growth and expansion will strengthen pediatric care in northwest Ohio and help address challenges like infant mortality, that not only impact Ohio families but families nationwide.” ~Governor Mike DeWine

  Nationwide Children’s

Trendline Health | OH Pulse curates the signals that matter for Ohio healthcare leaders. Fast, focused, no fluff.

Sources synthesized from official health system announcements, construction reports, legislative updates, and industry trackers (March 2026).

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Policy & Regulation

• Single-payer health care returns to Ohio Capitol with bold no-tax-hike pledge
  Democratic sponsors led by Sen. William P. DeMora and Paula Hicks-Hudson introduced Senate Bill 78 on March 3, creating the Ohio Health Care Plan — a statewide single-payer system covering all residents with zero copays, deductibles, or pre-existing condition denials for primary care, mental health, prescriptions, dental, and vision.
  Backers promise 91% of Ohioans see no tax increase, with funding via payroll, gross receipts, and income taxes plus federal dollars that would replace private premiums and boost take-home pay. The bill received its first hearing but faces steep Republican skepticism over feasibility and scale.

  Cleveland.com {Paywall}

Growth & Finance

• AHA’s Costs of Caring report lays bare escalating hospital financial pressures
  U.S. hospital expenses jumped 7.5% in 2025 — more than twice the growth in hospital prices — with labor swallowing ~60% of costs and another 36% tied to treating higher volumes of sicker patients.
  Over 56% of hospital spending went to service lines reimbursed below cost, including behavioral health (74.5% payment-to-cost ratio), while Medicare paid just 83 cents on the dollar.
  Administrative burdens added another $43 billion in billing and collections costs nationwide, squeezing margins and threatening 24/7 community care.

  Ohio Hospital Association | AHA Costs of Caring

Workforce & Leadership

• Cleveland Clinic Chief Investment Officer Stefan Strein to exit after decade-long tenure
  Stefan Strein, Cleveland Clinic’s inaugural Chief Investment Officer since 2015, will depart April 10, 2026, after overseeing $17 billion in long-term, short-term, pension, and insurance assets plus $16 billion in retirement plans.
  Strein is leaving to become President, CEO, and CIO of UNC Management Co., serving the University of North Carolina System.
  The transition marks the end of a pivotal era managing one of health care’s largest investment portfolios.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

• Bon Secours Mercy Health taps Dylan Clark as Chief Analytics & AI Officer
  Bon Secours Mercy Health named Dylan Clark, former leader of data strategy and analytics at MedStar Health, to head its systemwide data, analytics, and artificial intelligence strategy. Clark will build an enterprise AI governance framework and report directly to Chief Information and Technology Officer Edmund Siy.
  The move signals accelerating investment in AI to drive efficiency and insights across the multi-state system amid relentless cost and workforce pressures.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Thanks for reading OH Pulse — your fast take on Ohio health care.

Sources curated from public reporting and association releases.
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Policy & Regulation

• Indiana targets 340B savings in major Medicaid drug reimbursement overhaul
  FSSA plans to discontinue Medicaid reimbursement for drugs purchased under the federal 340B program starting July 1, 2026, letting the state capture roughly $63 million annually in rebates for its budget. Safety-net providers like HealthNet and the Damien Center warn of $3–5 million hits each, potentially slashing services for low-income and uninsured Hoosiers and driving more emergency visits. Critics question whether the move truly saves money or just shifts costs. Public comments due by March 27.

  

  IPM News | IBJ {Paywall}

• Gov. Braun signs bill moving long-stay nursing home residents out of Medicaid managed care
  Long-term nursing home residents (100+ days) will shift from managed care back to fee-for-service beginning July 1, 2027, after Gov. Mike Braun signed HB 1277 on March 12. The PathWays for Aging program has faced payment delays and denials totaling an estimated $100 million from MCOs like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Elevance. The state will also pursue an assisted living Medicaid waiver.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Workforce & Leadership

• Deaconess Illinois CFO brings rental-car discipline to healthcare finance
  Jason Hinkle, CFO of Deaconess Illinois (part of Evansville-based Deaconess Health System), oversees four hospitals after an unconventional route: EY healthcare audits, four years at Enterprise Mobility as senior accountant, then roles at Advocate Health and Loyola Medicine. He’s importing performance-based pay tying frontline leaders’ compensation to budget results — giving them “skin in the game” — while pushing AI into daily operations.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Sources: Curated from IBJ, IPM, Becker’s Hospital Review, and supporting public notices. All links active as of March 24, 2026.

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Growth & Expansion

Central Ohio’s big four systems race to build
Ohio State, OhioHealth, Mount Carmel, and Nationwide Children’s are on a multi-billion-dollar building spree to keep pace with population growth and demand. Highlights include Ohio State’s ~$2B, 820-bed tower (opened 2025), OhioHealth’s $600M Women’s Health Center (due 2027) plus Pickerington hospital and dozens of sites, Mount Carmel’s new $273M Dublin Hospital, and Children’s regional satellites plus $179M ortho/surgery center. Proponents cite access and future needs; skeptics question costs and competition in an already concentrated market.

Columbus Dispatch {Paywall}

Leadership & Operations

OhioHealth leader departs for Wilson Health role
Jim Whitaker, BSN, RN, is leaving OhioHealth after 23 years — most recently as senior adviser of operations at critical access Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton — to become vice president of operations at Wilson Health in Sidney. He started as an ED nurse at Hardin, held nursing and transfer-center leadership roles, drove community initiatives, and helped keep complex care local. OhioHealth will soon search for his replacement.

OhioHealth Newsroom | Beckers Hospital Review

Quality & Recognition

OhioHealth Marion General earns elite 5-star Forbes rating
OhioHealth Marion General Hospital landed a 5-star overall rating on the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list, one of only 259 out of ~5,400 eligible U.S. general acute care hospitals. The ranking heavily weights clinical outcomes (mortality, survival, infections, readmissions), best practices, value, and patient experience. Leaders credit the team’s daily commitment and community investment.

OhioHealth Newsroom | 2026 Forbes Top Hospitals list

Sources: Curated from OhioHealth Newsroom, Beckers Hospital Review, Marion Star, and Columbus Dispatch reporting (March 2026).

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Trendline Health | OH Pulse – independent, fast-read healthcare intelligence for Ohio leaders.

Growth & Finance

• IU Health absorbs short-term pain for massive future bets
  IU Health posted just $50M operating income (0.5% margin) in 2025, down from $257M, as it funds a $2.3B downtown Indianapolis hospital (opening 2027), a new 140-bed facility near Fort Wayne, systemwide Epic rollout, and regional consolidations. CFO Jenni Alvey called the pressure from these “big, one-time endeavors” expected through 2027 but essential for long-term margin growth and a stronger balance sheet. The system has already delivered $1.4B in affordability savings to Hoosiers via price cuts.

  

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Innovation & Tech

• Hancock Health launches dedicated non-chemo infusion center in Greenfield
  Hancock Health opened a new infusion center in its Professional Building on March 13, featuring private stations, specialized nurses, on-site pharmacy, Wi-Fi, TVs, and comforts for multi-hour treatments. Services target neurological disorders, autoimmune conditions, osteoporosis, anemia, infections, hydration and low-dose radiation for osteoarthritis.

“Expanding our infusion services allows more patients to receive advanced treatments close to home.” ~Dr. Julia Compton, Vice President of the Oncology Service Line at Hancock Health

WIBC

Workforce & Leadership

• Reid Health promotes longtime finance leader Gregory Turner to CFO
  Gregory Turner, who joined Reid Health in 2013 and rose from reimbursement analyst to Director of Financial Services, takes the CFO role left open since Ben Wells became CEO in September 2025.

“I’m also impressed by Greg’s passion for Reid and our mission, which will serve him well in this role as we work to maintain Reid’s financial stability while also meeting the health needs of our communities.” ~Ben Wells, President/CEO of Reid Health

Building Indiana Business

• Indiana Business Health Collaborative taps Beth Lock as new CEO/Executive Director
  The employer-driven group formed in 2024 to cut healthcare costs and boost workforce health named Beth Lock, veteran advocate and former Parkview Health policy leader, to the top role via a partnership with Lock Strategies, LLC. Luke Messer stepped down in Q1 2026 after launching the collaborative.

  Building Indiana Business

Quality & Access

• IU Health Cancer Center Lafayette earns three-year ACR radiation oncology accreditation
  The American College of Radiology awarded IU Health Cancer Center Lafayette its gold seal for meeting the highest national standards in technology, safety, clinical processes, and patient care. The three-year term underscores quality for patients across the region.

“This reaccreditation matters, because it’s an external confirmation that our technology, our processes and our clinical judgment meet the highest national standards, when it matters most.” ~Matthew Orton, MD, Radiation Oncologist at IU Health Arnett

IU Health

Sources: Curated from Building Indiana Business, IU Health, WIBC, Becker’s Hospital Review.

Feedback? Drop a note to inpulse@trendlinehealth.com

Workforce & Education

• Ivy Tech Evansville launches fast-track CCMA program with Deaconess partnership
  Ivy Tech Evansville and Deaconess Health System are rolling out a new 10-week Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program starting May 26, 2026, with classes and clinical training held on the Deaconess Midtown campus. The initiative targets immediate workforce gaps in Southwestern Indiana and may be fully covered for eligible students via Indiana’s Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant.

“This collaboration strengthens our community’s healthcare workforce while giving students hands-on experience, industry-recognized credentials, and a direct connection to employment opportunities right here in Southwestern Indiana.” ~Daniela Vidal, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Evansville

Ivy Tech Evansville News
Courier & Press coverage

• Landmark Ferguson gift + IU Health investment supercharges Ivy Tech Bloomington nursing expansion
  Connie and Steve Ferguson joined IU Health’s $10 million commitment to create two new endowments at Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Lee J. Marchant School of Nursing, fueling evening/weekend cohorts, faculty support, facility upgrades, clinical capacity growth, and scholarships tied to IU Health employment. The push builds on an innovative evening nursing model already showing strong enrollment and aims to help close Indiana’s ~4,300-nurse shortage while keeping graduates (90%+) in-state.

  

  IU Health Press Release | The Herald-Times

Rural Health & Funding

• GROW Regional Grants now open – $120M Year 1 for Indiana rural coalitions
  Indiana’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) launched the GROW Regional Grants application process, distributing $120 million in first-year funding across eight regional coalitions to tackle technology, access, innovative care, workforce, and chronic disease priorities. Letters of intent are due May 1; full applications July 1; awards begin September 1. Regional Committees of diverse rural stakeholders will guide equitable, data-driven investments.

  GROW Rural Indiana – Regional Grants | WBIW announcement

Innovation & Access

• Community Health Network embeds Nourish virtual dietitians across specialties statewide
  Community Health Network partnered with Nourish to integrate in-network, virtual metabolic health care—led by registered dietitians—into primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, oncology, nephrology, and women’s health workflows. Patients access the service at little to no out-of-pocket cost via existing benefits, supported by an AI-powered app for ongoing tracking. The move targets root-cause metabolic dysfunction behind major chronic conditions.

  Community Health Network News | Healthcare Innovation follow-up

Cancer Care Expansion

• Fort Wayne Medical Oncology & Hematology + Cameron Health broaden oncology services in Angola
  FWMOH and Cameron Health expanded cancer care capacity at the Regional Cancer Care Center on the Cameron campus in Angola with renovated space, five new exam rooms, 12 infusion bays, and increased days of service for medical oncology, hematology, infusion therapy, and palliative care. The upgrade responds to rising cancer rates in Steuben County and builds on a 25-year partnership.

“This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting the growing need for cancer care in Angola and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Praveen Kollipara, Board-certified medical oncologist and president of FWMOH

GlobeNewswire / AON release

Trendline Health IN Pulse is curated weekly for Indiana healthcare leaders. Got a tip or feedback? Send to inpulse@trendlinehealth.com.

Policy & Regulation

• DOJ + Ohio AG Sue OhioHealth for Anticompetitive Contracting
  The U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Dave Yost filed a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging OhioHealth illegally forces insurers to include it in all commercial networks, blocking lower-cost plan options and driving up premiums in central Ohio. The suit, which invokes the Sherman Act and Ohio’s Valentine Act, seeks to end the restrictions and restore insurer flexibility. OhioHealth has not yet commented on the unserved complaint.

  

  Ohio Attorney General News Release
  The Center Square

• Kettering Health Hit with 44 Consolidated Lawsuits from 2025 Ransomware Attack
  Forty-four patient lawsuits accusing Kettering Health of delayed treatment and care denials during last May’s Interlock ransomware shutdown have been merged into one case in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages over $25,000, punitive damages, and attorney fees; the 14-hospital system declined to comment on active litigation.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Growth & Finance

• OhioHealth Breaks Ground on $255M Dublin Methodist Hospital Tower
  OhioHealth and Dublin officials broke ground on a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower at Dublin Methodist Hospital that will add 96 beds, expand surgical and critical-care capacity, and renovate support space. The $255 million project responds to rapid population growth—especially among seniors—and is slated for phased completion by 2029, with hundreds of construction jobs and ~200 permanent clinical roles expected.

  

  Hoodline
  Healthcare Design Magazine

• Trailhead Community Health Foundation Takes Shape to Manage Summa Sale Proceeds
  The newly formed Trailhead Community Health Foundation will steward proceeds from Summa Health’s $485 million sale to HATCo, focusing on access, prevention, and social-determinants grants across Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties. With Marty Hauser as board chair and Tracy Carter as incoming CEO, grantmaking is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027 under 10-year Ohio AG oversight.

  Hoodline

Community & Philanthropy

• Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Commits $1.5M to Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  Marking 25 years of impact, the Blue Jackets Foundation pledged $1.5 million to Nationwide Children’s—$500,000 to renovate the Family Resource Center and $1 million to create the Heart & Glory Fund for families facing pediatric care journeys. Combined with a prior gift, the team’s 2025–26 season community investment totals $2.5 million.

  Columbus Dispatch

• First Year Cleveland Distributes $1.8M to Combat Cuyahoga Infant Mortality
  First Year Cleveland will award $1.8 million in Ohio Department of Children and Youth grants to 10 community and faith-based groups over 18 months to deliver prenatal education, food, transportation, and housing support. The effort targets persistently high infant death rates—especially among Black and increasingly Hispanic infants—in one of Ohio’s toughest counties.

  Ideastream Public Media

Workforce & Leadership

• OhioHealth Scales Preventive Well-Being Programs to Fight Caregiver Burnout
  OhioHealth is reshaping its caregiver culture with expanded counseling (now 12 covered visits/year), critical-incident response teams, proactive peer support, and pre-residency wellness coaching to cut suicide risk during the high-vulnerability first months of training. Senior Medical Director Laurie Hommema says the goal is psychological safety so clinicians feel safe asking for help before crises escalate.

  Becker’s Behavioral Health

Sources: Ohio AG, Becker’s, Columbus Dispatch, Hoodline, Healthcare Design, Ideastream, and others.

Have feedback or story tips? Drop us a line: ohpulse@trendlinehealth.com

Subscribe for free weekly Ohio healthcare intel:

Policy & Regulation

• Ohio mobilizes $202M federal rural health funds to counter looming Medicaid cuts
  Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff outlined plans to deploy a $202 million Rural Health Transformation Program award to offset projected $33 billion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years under Trump policies. Allocations include $92 million for innovation hubs and clinically integrated networks, $21.1 million for rural school-based health centers, and $13.5 million for workforce initiatives—with heavy focus on maternal/infant health in high-risk rural areas. Vanderhoff stressed innovation over past failures and hopes to gain flexibility by proving results.
  Ohio Capital Journal

• Bipartisan bill pushes higher Medicaid rates for 20 most vulnerable rural counties
  House Bill 675 (Healthier Rural Hospitals Act) would temporarily boost Medicaid managed care payments to 125–150% of statewide averages for hospitals in Ohio’s lowest-ranked small counties based on health/economic indicators. Sponsors Reps. Jason Stephens and Kellie Deeter aim to stabilize facilities facing closure risks and keep care local. The measure is moving through House committees.
  NBC4i

• Aging boom alert: New report from Ohio Department of Aging and Miami University warns Ohio’s 60+ population will spike sharply next decade, straining Medicaid, long-term care, and state budgets.
  Health Policy Ohio

Growth & Finance

• MetroHealth flips to $56.8M profit in 2025 on surprise $80M state Medicaid boost
  A last-minute $80.4 million Medicaid payment—largely from an expanded Hospital Additional Payment Program—turned MetroHealth’s projected $100 million loss into solid black ink for 2025. CEO Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager called the windfall non-recurring and noted ongoing charity care pressures and a $31 million 2026 shortfall loom. The strong finish unlocked a $65 million capital budget increase for facility upgrades.
  Cleveland.com [Paywall]

• Fairfield Medical Center closes ASC and sleep services ahead of OhioHealth acquisition
  Fairfield Medical Center will shutter River View Surgery Center, its sleep medicine office, and sleep lab this spring while trimming staff in several departments to cut costs amid reimbursement and workforce pressures. The moves support sustainability as the Lancaster facility advances toward becoming OhioHealth’s 17th acute-care hospital pending approvals.
  Becker’s Hospital Review

Innovation & Tech

• Northeast Ohio radiologists speed reads with AI tools
  Radiologists across Northeast Ohio are deploying AI to interpret imaging faster, reducing turnaround times and easing workload strain. Early adopters report improved efficiency on routine cases while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
  Beacon Journal

Workforce & Leadership

• OhioHealth O’Bleness names Dr. Charles Fisher AVP Clinical Affairs
  Dr. Charles Fisher, DO—a 13-year OhioHealth veteran and former leader of the O’Bleness Family Medicine Residency—takes the role to drive patient safety, quality outcomes, and community engagement at the Athens hospital. President LeeAnn Lucas-Helber praised his rural healthcare expertise; Fisher emphasized keeping care local for southeast Ohio families.
  OhioHealth Newsroom

• OSU Wexner opens new University Hospital tower
  Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s new University Hospital tower began welcoming patients, expanding capacity with modern inpatient units, advanced procedural spaces, and improved flow. The opening marks a major milestone in central Ohio’s academic medical growth.
  Columbus Dispatch

• Kettering Health partners with Loma Linda University School of Medicine to explore a new regional medical campus—details emerging on potential residency and training expansion.
  Loma Linda News

Sources curated from Ohio Capital Journal, Cleveland.com, Becker’s, OhioHealth, and others. Got feedback or a story tip? Drop us a line: feedback@trendlinehealth.com.

Subscribe for free weekly OH Pulse drops straight to your inbox—never miss the moves shaping Ohio healthcare.

Policy & Regulation

• Indiana Enacts First-in-Nation Ban on Insurer Penalties for Out-of-Network Care
  Lawmakers passed SEA 189 to block health insurers like Elevance from slapping 10% reimbursement cuts on hospitals using out-of-network providers, protecting patient access and countering market dominance in Indiana’s commercial insurance. The bill sets dispute resolution under the No Surprises Act, requiring good-faith negotiations after 25 IDR cases in 90 days, amid Elevance’s 68% market share. Providers hail it as a win against unfair leverage; Elevance calls it a step for transparency to curb costs.

  

  Indiana Hospital Association | Becker’s Hospital Review

• Medicaid Long-Term Care Bill Caps Costs, Heads to Governor
  HB 1277 clears legislature with unanimous House support, mandating federal approval for individual cost caps on home-based services under PathWays for Aging to match nursing facility rates, aiming to control expenses in Indiana’s shifting managed-care model. Critics warn of unintended shifts to institutional care; supporters see it as a compromise for sustainability amid aging demographics. Delays in transitions and added sunsets address provider concerns.

  News From The States

• State to Rebid $68B Medicaid Contracts Amid Vendor Woes
  FSSA launches massive rebidding for managed care covering 1.4 million Hoosiers across HIP, Pathways, Hoosier Care Connect, and Hoosier Healthwise, targeting January 2029 start after MDwise removal and $100M+ in delayed payments from insurers like Humana and Elevance. Secretary Mitch Roob dubs it the “Mother of All Procurements” to fix billing glitches and stabilize services. Lawmakers flag risks of disruption for vulnerable groups like seniors and disabled.

  

  WISH-TV

• House Advances SB 1 for Stricter SNAP, Medicaid Verification to Curb Fraud
  SB 1 passes 62-31, tightening work requirements to 80 monthly hours, slashing asset limits, ending expanded SNAP eligibility, and mandating immigration checks with federal referrals, positioning it as “HIP 3.0” to sustain programs eating 20% of state budget. Democrats blast added red tape risking coverage losses for low-wage Hoosiers; backers cite $10M+ in improper payments. Over 80 advocacy groups oppose, warning of heightened hunger and medical debt.

  The Republic | Chicago Tribune | WISH-TV | WIBC

• Bill Amended to Tax Nonprofit Hospitals’ Nonmedical Land
  Senate Bill 4 advances with unanimous committee vote, stripping exemptions for undeveloped hospital-owned property not tied to clinical or revenue uses, allowing counties to tax parcels while sparing parking and admin spaces. 10-year grace for pre-June 2026 buys; immediate for later. IHA pushes tweaks to align intent, eyeing revenue boosts for locals amid hospital expansions.

  The Republic

• Indiana Doctor Gets 8 Years for $20M Fraud Scheme
  Chesterton physician Bethany Cataldi sentenced to 97 months for billing $50M in fake balloon sinuplasty procedures, netting $20M from Medicare and insurers while hitting patients with bogus co-pays. U.S. Attorney slams abuse of trust targeting seniors; assets forfeited include luxury goods. Spotlights need for tighter oversight in Hoosier billing practices.

  WIBC

• FTC Ditches Noncompete Ban But Ramps Up Healthcare Scrutiny
  FTC withdraws nationwide noncompete rule but vows case-by-case enforcement, warning Indiana hospitals and firms to review restrictive covenants amid new state bans like SB 475 limiting physician mobility. Focus on anticompetitive effects hurting patient choice and staff retention. Expect more probes as states tighten rules.

  JD Supra

Growth & Finance

Marion Health Opens New East Hospital in Gas City
Marion Health launches 113,000-sq-ft acute-care facility blending industrial heritage with modern tech for underserved Grant County, offering ambulatory services in energy-efficient design. BSA-led project boosts rural access, pandemic-ready features included. Fills critical gaps in community care.

• Healthcare Design Magazine

Innovation & Tech

• Reid Health CIO Snags National Nod for Patient Care Tech
  Muhammad Siddiqui earns Becker’s “CIOs to Know” spot—sole Hoosier on list—for rolling out smart rooms and AI governance at rural Reid Health, streamlining workflows and personalizing care. Credits team for proving tech value in underserved areas. Drives innovation amid rapid IT shifts.

  Pal-Item

• Reid Health Joins Epic Suit Against Health Gorilla Over Data Misuse
  Reid Health teams with Epic, OCHIN, Trinity, UMass in fraud lawsuit alleging Health Gorilla enabled improper patient data access via Carequality/TEFCA for non-treatment purposes, risking interoperability. Gorilla pushes for governance resolution, calls it smear tactic. Could destabilize national data exchange if unchecked.

  Healthcare IT News

• IU Health Sues Change Healthcare for $66M Cyberattack Losses
  IU Health files negligence suit over 2024 ransomware breach lacking multifactor auth, causing billing halts and $66M in uncollected accounts, new vendors, and manual workarounds. Joins Tampa General in blasting inadequate safeguards. Exposes IT vulnerabilities hitting Indiana ops hard.

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Workforce & Leadership

• IU Health, Donors Pump $10M+ into Nursing Pipeline
  IU Health invests $10M alongside Ferguson philanthropists’ gift to Ivy Tech Bloomington for expanded evening/weekend nursing programs, targeting 4,300 annual shortages and 5,000 more needed by 2031. Bolsters residencies and retention in state’s largest system employing 39,000. Tackles aging population demands head-on.

  

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Mental Health & Access

• Valley Oaks Expands Mental Health Center in Clinton County
  Valley Oaks opens Frankfort clinic as designated CMHC, absorbing 200+ clients from prior provider with therapy, case management, and meds for all ages, sliding-scale fees. Partners with schools, jail; uses telehealth amid staffing crunch. Fills rural gaps post-Community Howard exit.

  Clinton County Daily News

• Kosciusko Rolls Out Mobile Pediatric Care Unit
  Live Well Kosciusko partners with Parkview’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile for no-cost well/sick visits, vaccines, screenings in Warsaw-area stops, aiding uninsured kids 0-18. Builds on mammography model to bridge access barriers. Targets underserved families directly.

  News Now Warsaw

Sources: Curated from Becker’s, WISH-TV, WIBC, and more. Feedback? Email mark@trendlinehealth.com. Subscribe for weekly IN healthcare pulses.

Growth & Finance

Reid Health Opens New Connersville Campus
Reid Health welcomed nearly 700 visitors Jan. 31 for tours of its new $100 million Connersville campus — Fayette County’s first new healthcare facility in decades. The 106,715-square-foot building consolidates emergency services, primary care, 12 specialties, imaging, lab, and infusion therapy, plus a new onsite helipad (the county’s first in ~30 years). Patient care begins this spring after operational readiness.

Reid Health Press Release
Healthcare Design

Margaret Mary Health Shares Final Milestones Before June Opening
Margaret Mary Health enters final prep for its new hospital on Six Pine Ranch campus, with staff training, mock patient journeys, equipment installation, and cleaning through May. Community open house set for May 31 (11 a.m.–4 p.m.); first patient day June 6. The facility aims to boost patient experience, recruit providers, and anchor a growing wellness campus.

MMH Announcement

Mental Health & Access

Hancock Health Dedicates Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Center
Hancock Health dedicated its remodeled Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Center Feb. 5, centralizing counseling, psychiatric services, Connection Center, Mobile Response Team, and related programs under one roof for the first time. Funded partly by a $4.5 million campaign, the hub improves warm handoffs, crisis support, peer recovery, and community education/workshops throughout 2026.
Hancock Health News

Policy & Regulation

Indiana Hospital Association Launches “Access Denied” Campaign
The Indiana Hospital Association rolled out “Access Denied” Feb. 17 to spotlight insurer practices blocking medically necessary care, including a portal for denial explanations, media stories, patient submissions, and legislator outreach. IHA targets Elevance and UnitedHealthcare’s 86% commercial market dominance, cites hospital price reductions (up to 7 points in 2024), and backs bills limiting penalties, downcoding, and clawbacks.

“…while companies like Elevance are raking in billions in profit, they are restricting care, narrowing provider options, and driving up health care costs.” –Scott B. Tittle, President, Indiana Hospital Association

IHA Press Release
Becker’s

Workforce & Leadership

IU Health Names New Chief Communications Officer
Karen Stuerenberg joined IU Health Feb. 16 as VP of Communications and Chief Communications Officer. With prior consulting experience at IU Health on HR initiatives and nearly 20 years in strategic comms, crisis management, and brand work, she holds an MBA from IU Kelley and a marketing degree from Butler.
IU Health Announcement

Access & Reimbursement Pressures

Indiana Hospitals Brace for $1B Losses; More OB Closures Loom
Indiana hospitals face projected $1 billion annual losses over 3–5 years driven by low Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements (e.g., Medicaid at ~55 cents on the dollar). Baptist Health Floyd CEO Mike Schroyer warns more labor & delivery programs will close after recent shutdowns at Johnson County Memorial and Harrison County hospitals. Rising self-pay and government payer mix exacerbate the strain despite some manufacturing cost relief.

“What we will continue to see if things don’t change is more OB programs closing here in the state.” –Mike Schroyer, Baptist Health Floyd CEO

WHAS11 Report

Have feedback or story tips? Email us at inpulse@trendlinehealth.com

Policy & Regulation

• Feds & Ohio AG sue OhioHealth for allegedly blocking lower-cost insurance plans
  The U.S. Department of Justice and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against OhioHealth on Feb. 20, accusing the 16-hospital Columbus powerhouse of leveraging market dominance to force insurers to include all its facilities in every commercial network and prohibit “budget-conscious” plans that steer patients to lower-cost rivals or provide price transparency. Prosecutors argue OhioHealth’s above-market rates lack corresponding quality advantages, inflating costs across central Ohio. The complaint seeks injunctions against enforcing the restrictive clauses and against retaliation toward insurers offering innovative products.

  

  U.S. Department of Justice – Complaint | Becker’s Payer – 4 Things to Know | Dallas Express – National Angle

• Ramaswamy and Acton trade barbs on Medicaid work requirements and health affordability fixes
  Republican gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy endorses Medicaid work requirements (federally mandated by Jan. 2027) and pitches broader affordability through zero state income tax, property tax relief and lower utility/housing costs. Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton agrees work rules should exist with “easy” compliance paths (e.g., training) but stresses most Medicaid recipients already work, highlights that 40% of Ohio births and many children depend on the program, and warns recent coverage cuts threaten rural hospitals and force long travel—or even roadside births—for basic care.

  • Statehouse News Bureau – Candidate Positions

Innovation & Tech

• Cleveland Clinic performs first U.S. robotic prostatectomy with newly FDA-cleared Hugo RAS system
  Cleveland Clinic completed the first U.S. prostatectomy using Medtronic’s Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system shortly after its December 2025 FDA clearance. The modular, open-console design improves surgeon ergonomics and flexibility while delivering classic robotic benefits: less blood loss, shorter hospitalizations, faster recovery and reduced pain. Dr. Jihad Kaouk, principal investigator of the landmark Expand URO trial, hailed the milestone as a platform for expanding minimally invasive options across specialties.

  

  Cleveland Clinic Newsroom – Official Release

• University Hospitals deploys OneDose eMACC across its EMS network — first major system-wide adoption
  University Hospitals (Cleveland) became the first large health system to implement OneDose’s electronic Medication Administration Cross-Check (eMACC) across its entire EMS footprint, digitizing a protocol shown to reduce medication errors by more than 40%. The mobile app enables single-provider verification, instant dose/concentration checks, real-time protocol updates and a timestamped digital trail—replacing cumbersome annual 430-page PDF distributions for >300 Ohio EMS agencies. EMS Medical Director Dr. John Hill calls OneDose the single trusted source for protocols and safety.
  EIN Presswire – Partnership Announcement

Workforce & Leadership

• Ohio hospital executive moves: CHRO at Hocking Valley, revenue cycle VP at Kettering Health
  Angela Anderson, a 20-year healthcare HR veteran, was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer at Hocking Valley Community Hospital (Logan), where she will lead recruiting, benefits, payroll, engagement, performance management and more at the critical-access facility. Separately, Kettering Health named Murry Ford Vice President of Revenue Cycle; he arrives from Grady Health System (Atlanta), where he most recently held the same title.
  Becker’s – Hocking Valley CHRO
  Becker’s – Kettering Revenue Cycle VP

Access & Delivery

• Mercy Health–St. Rita’s goes 24/7 OB coverage as rural maternity units close
  Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Medical Center (Lima) introduced 24/7 in-house obstetric coverage so laboring patients receive immediate evaluation without waiting for their personal physician—a proactive step as roughly a dozen Ohio hospitals have closed, consolidated or paused maternity services since 2022 due to staffing shortages, rising costs and falling birth rates. President/CEO Ronda Lehman framed the investment as a direct counter to rural service erosion while modernizing facilities for families; the hospital averages ~1,300 deliveries per year.
  WLIO / Hometown Stations – Local Coverage

Growth & Partnerships

• Kettering Health deepens university partnership with expanded education, research and physical footprint plans
  Kettering Health and Ohio University are intensifying their longstanding academic alliance, expanding collaboration in workforce development, residency training and research while actively exploring physical expansions into each other’s geographies to combat southwest Ohio’s growing clinician shortages and improve retention.
  Dayton Business Journal – Partnership Update

• OhioHealth advances plan to repurpose former Big Lots headquarters for medical uses
  OhioHealth secured critical Columbus city approvals to proceed with transforming the former Big Lots corporate headquarters into healthcare space; the system is still evaluating exact medical office, outpatient or clinical configurations for the prominent site.
  Columbus Business First – Redevelopment Progress

Sources: Justice Department, Becker’s, Cleveland Clinic Newsroom, EIN Presswire, WLIO/Hometown Stations, Dayton Business Journal, Statehouse News Bureau, Columbus Business First.

Feedback, tips, story ideas → mark@trendlinehealth.com

Growth & Facilities

• Hancock Health Dedicates Centralized Behavioral Health Hub
  Hancock Health formally opened the Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Center on February 5, consolidating counseling, psychiatric services, the Connection Center, and Mobile Response Team under one roof for the first time. The $4.5 million campaign–supported remodel creates warm handoffs, easier access, and space for community education and large trainings throughout 2026. CEO Steve Long emphasized treating mental health with equal priority to physical health.

  

  Hancock Health

• Reid Health Opens $100M Connersville Replacement Campus
  Reid Health welcomed nearly 700 visitors January 31 for public tours of its new 106,715 sq ft Connersville campus—the county’s first new healthcare facility in decades. The two-story building consolidates ED, primary care, 12 specialties, imaging, lab, and infusion services with an on-site helipad (Fayette County’s first in ~30 years); patient care begins this spring.

  

  Huron Consulting News

Access & Closures

• Johnson Memorial Phases Out Obstetrics; Indiana’s Maternity Crisis Deepens
  Johnson Memorial Health will close its Franklin maternity unit in coming months—the 16th Indiana hospital to shutter OB services since 2020—citing unsustainable losses from Medicaid’s 57% and Medicare’s 82% reimbursement rates against soaring costs. CEO Dr. David Dunkle called the model “long-term unsustainable”; no other OB provider exists in Johnson County. Columbus Regional Health affirmed it has no current plans to scale back its ~1,200 annual deliveries despite similar pressures.
  WRTV

Policy & Finance

• Indiana House Passes Medical Debt Protection Legislation
  The Indiana House approved a bill requiring hospitals to notify patients of financial assistance programs before sending bills to collections and to proactively share program information. The measure also prevents insurers from retroactively recouping payments after claims are paid and protects rural hospitals from recoupment when patients are transferred. Indiana ranks 11th nationally in residents with medical debt in collections.
  Becker’s

• State Study: Big Five Nonprofit Systems Drop Commercial Prices to 252% of Medicare
  Indiana’s five largest nonprofit systems (Ascension St. Vincent, Community, Franciscan, IU Health, Parkview) averaged commercial prices at 252% of Medicare in 2024—33 points below the 285% legislative benchmark and down nearly 7 points from 2023. The Indiana Hospital Association hailed the progress amid thin 1.9% margins; critics noted inclusion of physician fees lowers reported facility-only prices. Insurers urged to pass savings to employers and families.
  WIMS Radio / Indiana Capital Chronicle synthesis

• Pinnacle Hospital Hit with First 2026 Price Transparency Fine
  CMS fined Crown Point’s 30-bed Pinnacle Hospital $51,615 for 155 days of alleged noncompliance with federal hospital price transparency rules—the first such penalty issued in 2026.
  Becker’s

Workforce & Leadership

• Beacon Health Names Gregory Piper President of Allegan Hospital
  Beacon Health System appointed Gregory Piper permanent president of its 25-bed critical access Beacon Allegan hospital in southwest Michigan after serving interim since November 2025. Piper brings 25 years with Beacon, starting at Memorial Hospital in South Bend and most recently serving as VP of retail operations.
  Becker’s

Sources: Hancock Health, Reid Health, HCON, WISH-TV, The Republic, WRTV, Becker’s Hospital Review, WIMS, IPM, WLZZ

Feedback, tips, story ideas? → inpulse@trendlinehealth.com

Access & Delivery

• Mercy Health–St. Rita’s doubles down on obstetrics with 24/7 in-house coverage
  While more than a dozen Ohio hospitals have closed, consolidated or suspended maternity services since 2022, Lima’s Mercy Health–St. Rita’s is expanding access by guaranteeing round-the-clock obstetric professionals so laboring patients no longer wait for their personal physician. President & CEO Ronda Lehman emphasized the system’s 100+ year commitment and investment in modern facilities and aesthetics “while others are pulling back.” The move shores up care in a region hit hard by rural OB closures.

  

  WLIO – Hometown Stations

Policy & Finance

• Gubernatorial candidates clash on Medicaid work rules, affordability fixes and hospital closures
  Republican Vivek Ramaswamy backs the new federal Medicaid work requirements (80 hours/month for most adults 19–64) and touts broader economic relief—zero income tax, lower utility/housing costs—to ease healthcare burdens, while Democrat Amy Acton supports “requirements and easy ways to meet them” but warns that cuts and lack of subsidies are already pushing 11 Ohio hospitals toward closure and forcing some families to travel over an hour for deliveries or basic care. Acton cited roadside births and heavy Medicaid reliance (4 in 10 Ohio births); Ramaswamy’s campaign called her attacks “cherry-picked” and “far-left.”
  Statehouse News Bureau

Growth & Partnerships

• Kettering Health deepens university partnership with education, research and physical expansion plans
  Kettering Health and Ohio University are broadening their long-standing academic collaboration, adding new training and research initiatives while exploring physical growth into each other’s service areas to strengthen the southwest Ohio workforce pipeline amid persistent shortages.
  Dayton Business Journal {PAYWALL}

• OhioHealth advances redevelopment of former Big Lots HQ into medical space
  OhioHealth cleared key Columbus city approvals to convert the shuttered Big Lots headquarters into medical uses and continues evaluating specific clinical and operational plans for the prominent site.
  Columbus Business First {PAYWALL}

Innovation & Tech

• Bon Secours Mercy Health’s lean three-person VC arm closes four digital health deals in 2025
  Accrete Health Partners invested $5–10M each in Hyro (agentic AI), Hellocare (virtual care), Trek Health (pricing data) and Definity (workforce), securing commercial contracts with the $13.3B system for every deal and touching all operating teams across 47 hospitals. CDO Jason Szczuka credits the “eat your own dog food” model—only investing where BSMH will be a major client—for high conversion and influence on the 2025 Most Wired list.

  

  Becker’s Hospital Review

Leadership Moves

• Mercy Health Cincinnati promotes Michele Stokes to market Chief Nursing Officer
  After serving interim since late 2025, Michele Stokes, a 30+ year Mercy Health veteran, officially became CNO of the Cincinnati market on Feb. 10, overseeing nursing strategy and care delivery across all settings.
  Becker’s Hospital Review

• University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center ranks 7th nationally, 15th globally in academic brand strength
  Brand Finance’s 2026 survey of 2,500+ healthcare professionals placed UH Cleveland Medical Center seventh among U.S. academic medical centers and 15th worldwide for reputation in patient care, research, education and training. CEO Cliff Megerian credited the system’s global academic partnerships (Case Western, Oxford, Technion, others) and focus on compassionate care and discovery.

  

  Newswise

Sources: Linked articles above + public records. Got feedback or a tip? Email us at ohpulse@trendlinehealth.com.

This February 2026 update recaps the publicly reported Q4 2025 (quarter ending December 31, 2025) and full-year 2025 financial results for key for-profit healthcare companies with operations in Indiana. A majority of public companies have now released earnings (late January to early February 2026), showing continued revenue momentum from volume growth (hospitals), GLP-1 demand (pharma), and membership/services (insurance), though margins faced headwinds from labor, Medicaid changes, and policy shifts. Metrics focus on Q4 revenue, adjusted EPS/EBITDA where available, YoY changes, and Indiana-relevant bullets.

Note: CYH (Feb 18–19), UHS (Feb 25–26), and ZBH (Feb 10) Q4 details pending full release. Core trends and Indiana highlights stable across reported companies; revisions will follow if material updates emerge. Private firms (e.g., Lifepoint, ScionHealth) excluded due to limited public data.

Hospital Operators

• Community Health Systems (CYH)
  Q4 results release February 18–19, 2026 (press release and call); revenue flat to low-single-digit growth expected, adjusted EBITDA stable/improved on divestitures. Full-year positive FCF.
  → Indiana Lutheran Health Network stable; ASC expansions in northeast Indiana.
  → Cost controls and portfolio streamlining support 2026 outlook.

• HCA Healthcare (HCA)
  HCA divested its sole Indiana hospital (Terre Haute Regional) to Union Health in December 2025, so it no longer has direct hospital operations in the state. The Q4 2025 earnings release (January 27, 2026) explicitly noted a gain on sale of facilities of $41 million, primarily related to this Terre Haute transaction, confirming the divestiture.

• Encompass Health (EHC)
  Q4 results aligned with guidance; revenue +10% range, adjusted EPS strong on rehab volumes. Full-year EBITDA growth.
  → Stroke/inpatient volumes up; de novo beds added.
  → Indiana rehab sites stable; workforce investments paying off.

• Select Medical (SEM)
  Q4 revenue +6–7% range, adjusted EPS improved on critical care/outpatient. Full-year mid-single-digit growth.
  → Long-term acute care volumes +5%; acquisitions bolstered footprint.
  → Indiana facilities efficient; savings initiatives on track.

Behavioral Health Providers

• Universal Health Services (UHS)
  Q4 results pending full release (conference call February 26, 2026); expected revenue +10% range, adjusted EPS growth on acute/behavioral. Full-year strong cash flow.
  → Behavioral patient days +4–5%; occupancy high.
  → Indiana facilities stable; Medicaid supplemental boosts.
  → Capex for new inpatient/outpatient in high-demand areas.

• Acadia Healthcare (ACHC)
  Q4 results released February 25–26, 2026; revenue +3–5% expected, adjusted EBITDA pressured by liability expenses. Full-year guidance adjusted downward earlier due to legal costs.
  → Same-facility revenue +7–8%; beds added YTD.
  → Indiana JV with Community Health Systems/Lutheran Health Network driving growth.
  → Labor eased; focus on treatment centers and 900+ beds pipeline.

Insurance Companies

• Elevance Health (ELV, Indianapolis HQ)
  Q4 operating revenue $49.3B (+10% YoY), adjusted EPS $3.33 (Q4), $30.29(full-year). Full-year revenue $197.6B.
  → CarelonRx +12%; membership gains offset Medicaid declines.
  → Indiana HQ drives local value-based care; 2026 guidance recalibrated on Medicaid pressures.
  → $10B+ share repurchases; long-term algorithm reaffirmed.

• UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
  Q4 revenue $113.2B, adjusted EPS $2.11 (down YoY on charges), full-year adjusted EPS $16.35.
  → Optum Health +21%; domestic membership growth.
  → AI efficiencies; Indiana plans stable.

• Humana (HUM)
  Q4 results strong on MA growth; adjusted EPS pressured by utilization. Full-year membership +200K+ in MA.
  → CenterWell clinics expanded; Star ratings recovery.
  → Indiana commercial/Medicare plans solid.

• Cigna (CI)
  Q4 revenue +25%+ (incl. Express Scripts), adjusted EPS +10–12%.
  → Evernorth specialty + strong; client retention high.
  → Biosimilars managed; Indiana employer plans stable.

• CVS Health (CVS) / Aetna
  Q4 revenue +6% range, adjusted EPS +7%.
  → Pharmacy volumes up; MA stars improved.
  → Oak Street integration; Indiana marketplace presence.

• Centene (CNC) / Ambetter
  Q4 revenue +5–6%, adjusted EPS improved on rate adjustments.
  → Marketplace enrollment growth; risk stabilization.
  → Indiana plans adjusted for redeterminations.

Pharma Companies

• Eli Lilly (LLY, Indianapolis HQ)
  Q4 revenue $19.3B (+43% YoY), full-year $65.2B (+45% YoY). Adjusted EPS $7.54 (Q4 non-GAAP), $24+ full-year.
  → Mounjaro $7.4B (Q4), Zepbound $4.3B (U.S.); volume +46%.
  → Indiana manufacturing ramp-up ($9B+ investments); 2026 guidance $80–83B revenue.
  → Kwikpen tirzepatide approval; orforglipron submissions.

• Elanco Animal Health (ELAN, Greenfield)
  Q4 results aligned; revenue stable, innovation +20%.
  → Farm animal strong; retail pet soft.
  → Debt reduction priority; new products in pipeline.

Med Tech Companies

• Zimmer Biomet (ZBH, Warsaw HQ)
  Q4 results pending full release (February 10, 2026 call); expected revenue ~$2.2B, EPS $2.38.
  → Knees/hips + growth; robotics placements up.
  → Warsaw HQ drives ortho innovation; spine spin-off mid-2026.
  → Pricing positive; Indiana plant expansions.

• Medtronic (MDT, Warsaw plant)
  Q4 results strong; revenue +5% organic, adjusted EPS +9%.
  → Diabetes +20%; cardiovascular strong.
  → Indiana neuromodulation expansions.

• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, DePuy Synthes in Warsaw)
  Q4 sales $24.6B (+9.1%), full-year $94.2B (+6%).
  → MedTech +4–6%; ortho stable.
  → Indiana operations solid; separation reviews ongoing.

Takeaway for Indiana healthcare leaders
Q4 capped a strong 2025 for for-profits: Revenue growth mid-to-high single digits (pharma double-digits), margins expanding in hospitals/behavioral on volume/labor easing, but insurance/pharma faced policy/utilization pressures. Indiana footprint shines (Lilly $9B+ capex, Acadia/CHS beds, Zimmer/Warsaw innovation). 2026 outlook resilient amid reimbursement changes.

Full details in SEC filings/press releases.

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