IN Pulse – February 23, 2026
2026 | Issue 8 – Facilities • Behavioral Health • Insurer Pushback • Access Pressures
Trendline Health | IN Pulse | 2026 | Issue 8
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.
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
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
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