The reopening of East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry in 2020 was hailed by many as a positive development for the region, but now there are continued troubling signs of financial difficulties for the privately owned facility.

Following repeated reports of employees’ pay being delayed, the resignation of former Chief Operating Officer Bernie Albertini (his successor, Julie Ross, has insisted his decision to leave had nothing to do with payroll issues) and other matters, it appears the facility is at a crossroads.

Since Albertini’s departure, the community has learned that The Health Plan canceled employees’ health insurance policies due to “financial obligations not being met.” Then, in recent weeks, the hospital announced it was closing its long-term care facility. It has been working to relocate those patients and to help employees of that department find work elsewhere.

“I am doing everything I can to make sure that everybody continues to have a job here at East Ohio Regional Hospital,” an email to employees from Chief Medical Officer David Shaffer states.

Most recently, it was revealed that hospital administrators are in talks with the Belmont County treasurer to address more than $1.2 million in unpaid real estate taxes. Treasurer Katherine Kelich said Ross is working with her office to make a plan for tackling the bill. If an arrangement for the “very large delinquency” gets worked out, a foreclosure will not need to be filed, she said.

“It’s not indicative of a resolution it’s just indicative of a desire for a resolution but that’s a very positive thing because we had five phone calls yesterday — but in the last five months prior to that it was radio silence,” Kelich said.

This all is similar to what took place in the past. East Ohio Regional Hospital initially was closed in 2019 along with the Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling by then-owner Alecto Healthcare Services. The region would suffer if that happens again. Everyone involved needs to keep working to resolve the situation before it comes to that again.