What pediatric care will look like as local health care providers fight in court

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – What will pediatric medical care look like as some of the biggest local providers fight things out in court?

Mercy Health has filed suit against Nationwide Children’s Hospital with ProMedica wrapped into it too. How or will this affect where your kids get care? The I-TEAM is working to get those answers.

As of right now, all the doors to local hospitals are open and the hope for many is that it stays that way.

You might remember the building on Cherry Street in Toledo that was Mercy Health Children’s Hospital but in the last few years, it became Nationwide Children’s Hospital with Mercy Health selling its assets and community practices to Nationwide.

That deal had nothing to do with ProMedica but court filings paint a new situation.

In a suit filed by Mercy Health, the company said, “For years, Nationwide had been discussing, developing, drafting, and formalizing a plan for a joint operating company that gave ProMedica equal ownership and control with Nationwide.”

Mercy Health is also upset with the formalizing of something called Toledo for Kids LLC. Mercy Health officials said that is a pediatric partnership with ProMedica: “Officially confirming that Nationwide has no intention of honoring its contractual commitments to Mercy Health.”

A closer look at the article of organization for Toledo for Kids LLC shows the exact same address as Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

What does all this mean for medical care here in our region?

Mercy Health said in its filing that if a partnership between Nationwide and ProMedica does not have review, oversight or transparency, it could make pediatric healthcare service less accessible to some Toledo families. Nationwide insists that’s not the case.

It’s in counter filing, Nationwide said the partnership between itself and ProMedica is already done: “Formal agreements have already been executed, significant funds already transferred, physicians have already been engaged, and numerous other steps have already been taken to enhance pediatric care in Toledo.”

With ProMedica and Nationwide now having an affiliate agreement, where will people go for care?

What happens with ProMedica’s Ebeid Children’s Hospital on Monroe Street and Nationwide Children’s on Cherry Street?

That remains to be seen.

When asked if the Ebeid Children’s Hospital would become a Nationwide facility, the I-TEAM was told it would not.

Nothing in the court filing makes a specific promise of what’s staying open, what’s closing and where your family doctor will be.

All sides are set to be in court next week.

Wednesday’s statement from Mercy Health:

“As the region’s longest standing, trusted and stable health care provider for more than 170 years, Mercy Health has proudly honored our commitment to serve every member of our community, including children and their families.

Mercy Health is committed to participate in and support the future health and well-being of all children in our community and we are concerned Nationwide has broken their promise by excluding Mercy Health from meaningfully participating in future pediatric plans for our region.

Mercy Health remains committed to high-quality, fully accessible pediatric care and will continue our existing financial, logistical and operational support of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Toledo program on our Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center campus.

Our hope is that other health systems will join Mercy Health in a collaborative and transparent partnership that allows families to have full access to the best, most inclusive care.”

Wednesday’s statement from Nationwide:

Mercy’s filing alleging that we violated our contract surprised and disappointed us. Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo is in full compliance with its contractual commitments to Mercy. We have been transparent in our goal to partner with anyone interested in improving the lives of children in the region, including ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital. We have invited Mercy to be part of this collaboration with ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital from the beginning of discussions. Our goal is simple—to expand health care for the children in the region so they don’t have to travel to see pediatric experts.”

When asked if there is there discussion/conversation of ProMedica working with or housing a Nationwide facility, a Nationwide spokeswoman said: “Nationwide Children’s – Toledo inpatient services will remain on Mercy Health St. Vincent’s campus. Nationwide Children’s – Toledo and ProMedica Ebeid will continue to offer services at their respective campuses. The goal of this collaboration is to improve the lives of children in our community.”

“At this time, there is no impact on care and we are committed to that outcome. If Mercy is successful in interfering with Nationwide Children’s – Toledo’s collaboration with Ebeid, it will negatively impact the care of children in this community.”

Wednesday’s statement from ProMedica:

“Since this matter is primarily between Mercy Health and Nationwide Children’s Hospital — Toledo, it would not be appropriate for us to provide an in-depth response. Additionally, ProMedica reserves comments on pending litigation for the appropriate legal channels. But, what we can share is that we believe our community is best served by organizations that focus their energy and efforts on working together. That spirit of collaboration is essential for enhancing and expanding pediatric care in our region, making it more accessible to families close to home.”

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