Two Insight-operated hospitals in Trumbull County have paused almost all inpatient and outpatient after Steward has ceased funding for the hospital's services. Monday's announcement also includes Insight's President, Gray Goncz, resigned from his position after two weeks on the job.

Insight assures Insight Trumbull's emergency department will remain open to lab and radiology services.

According to a statement from an Insight representative, Steward has ceased funding for healthcare services that were already delivered at Trumbull and Hillside hospitals in recent months due to "abrupt developments" in Steward's bankruptcy proceedings.

"Inpatient and outpatient services are everything we do at Hillside. We have patients in this area who come there for specialty care that they cannot receive anywhere else in this area," explained De Anna Fuchilla, Chair of the Hillside Nurses Association. "So that burden is now going to Pittsburgh or Cleveland for care."

"Hillside is the place to go for rehab so now we have lost one of the major rehabilitation facilities in our area," explained Dr. James LaPolla Jr., Member of the Medical Executive Committee and Howland Township Trustee. "Hillside is one of the major employers in Howland Township and we've been glad our health institution in town had been unscathed up until this point."

Despite ongoing efforts, Insight has been unable to secure the release of those funds from Steward even as government authorities have requested guaranteed weekly payments to ensure continuity of care.

All inpatient and outpatient services at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, the Austintown and Elm Road outpatient centers, and all services at Trumbull Hospital except for emergency room, lab, and radiology services are not being offered at this time.

Sources who work for Hillside believe the majority of staff will be furloughed, with the exception of about 100 emergency room employees and a handful of maintenance staff.

The representative for Insight tells 21 News these furloughs are expected to be temporary with Insight intending to bring staff back no later than October.

"At this point, we still have not received anything as far as a furlough time frame," Fuchilla told 21 News. "We've been told the patients will be discharged as quickly and safely as possible. We can't wait around for months. We've already lost a lot of people in the past few months. The staffing has been horrendous. We have dedicated nurses working up to 70 hours per week because we dont have staff. The past few months have been an emotional roller coaster ride and I dont know what else there is we can do at this point."

"This unfortunate situation is in no way a reflection of our employees' outstanding commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care. We are deeply grateful for their dedication during these uncertain times," Monday's Insight statement reads.

Dr. James LaPolla serves as a Howland Trustee, explaining local municipalities' hands are tied to financially help the hospitals.

According to the statement, Dr. Jawad Shah will serve as President of Trumbull and Hillside Hospitals. The statement said Insight is committed to rebuilding both hospitals as non-profit, physician-led, and patient-centered institutions.

"Insight and I had some differences in the path forward," Gray Goncz told 21 News on Monday. "I still aim to serve as the Chief Medical Officer and a practicing anesthesiologist. I hope Insight can find a successful path forward and do whatever it can to continue to serve patients in the community."

"In the months ahead, we will redesign operations to be fully independent of Steward's management, cost structures, and legacy software systems. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve the community with integrity and excellence, and we thank our staff, patients, and partners for their continued support," the statement concludes.