COLDWATER, MI — Amid growing concerns about the future of Coldwater’s hospital, owner Insight Health System issued a statement late Wednesday, July 9, stating it “Remains committed to providing care in Coldwater because as a nonprofit hospital, it’s critical for it to stay open for life-saving care.”
“While recent discussions around federal policy changes have highlighted challenges facing rural hospitals, Insight Hospital and Medical Center Coldwater continues to serve the community, with a focus on long-term stability, innovation and access,” Insight’s Executive Business Associate for Government Relations and External Affairs Irena Vulajn said in an email.
On Tuesday, Congressman Tim Walberg said in Coldwater, “Some hospitals will fail” under Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” on taxation and spending, which was signed on July 4.
The bill reduces Medicaid funding over the next four years, affecting government support for hospital services.
The statement is the first issued by Insight after emails and calls over the last two months to the Flint-based hospital system, which bought the former county-owned hospital from ProMedica on Dec. 5, 2024.
The hospital continues to provide emergency services and surgery, and, as stated in its Wednesday announcement, “Oncology is now seeing more patients, for example.”
“Also since joining Insight, the Coldwater hospital has expanded advanced interventional pain treatments that were previously unavailable in Coldwater, delivered by a team of board-certified physicians and specialized providers,” Vulaj said.
The Insight statement continued, “Our cost-effective model and ability to maximize resources allow us to continue delivering care where it’s needed most.”
Since the purchase, Insight disbanded the local hospital board. ProMedica Health Systems continued the local board as an advisory board when it purchased the Community Health Center of Branch County.
The county started the hospital service 86 years ago to meet local medical needs, expanding on a doctor-owned facility.
The county sold the hospital in 2018 to ProMedica of Toledo as financial challenges began to emerge in the healthcare industry.
Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Insight issues statement on Coldwater hospital
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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