The public’s attendance — but not its input — will be welcomed when Insight Health System representatives discuss their plans to reopen locally with Trumbull County officials Aug. 5.

“It will be limited as far as questions and answers,” Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez said Monday. “It will be limited to the elected officials doing their due diligence and having their questions answered. We want it to be a friendly atmosphere.”

Among the officials invited to attend are U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and state Representatives Nick Santucci, R-Niles, and David Thomas, R-Jefferson.

Insight paused its Trumbull County operations, including Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull and Insight Rehabilitation Hospital Hillside, in late March. That came seven months after it obtained the properties from Steward Health System in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

At the time of its closing, Insight cited Steward Health’s failure to relinquish Medicaid funds.

“Steward has abruptly discontinued payments to Insight required under its bankruptcy proceedings,” Insight said at the time.

“Specifically, Steward informed Insight that they (Steward) would not be releasing significant funds to Insight on March 21, 2025, so that Insight has not received all revenue due to Insight and necessary to maintain facility operations (including meeting payroll obligations and vendor payments to ensure no disruption in patient service).”

Today, Insight is closer to reopening.

“Insight has received its Medicare license, which paves the way for us to apply through the Ohio Department of Medicaid,” said attorney Holly F. Gross, of the Benesch law firm in Columbus.

That news gives Hernandez reason to believe Insight can return to the community and stay for the long term.

“I’ve been cautiously optimistic all along concerning how they’re going to move forward,” he said.

Attempts to reach the Ohio Department of Medicaid for Insight’s application status were not successful as of press time.

In talks with Insight representatives, Hernandez said the health system is working to resolve staffing and equipment issues.

“There’s a lot of questions — the medical devices, equipment that was taken up,” he said. “(Gross) seems to believe that they’ll have everything in order to be able to reopen.

“I know that they’re trying to work with the nurses union.”

The Ohio Nurses Association, which represents the former Hillside nurses, declined to comment Monday.