WellLink’s Top 10 Most Noteworthy Headlines of 2025
From critical conversations on maternal and infant mortality to milestones that shaped WellLink, this year’s Weekly Wrap Up featured stories that inspired, informed and drove action. As we reflect on 2025, here are the 10 most noteworthy stories of the year:
1. Northeast Ohio Hospital Community Benefit Exceeds $2 Billion
Hospitals in Northeast Ohio provided $2.06 billion in community benefits in 2023 according to the latest analysis of their tax filings by The Center for Health Affairs. This is a 3.28% increase from the $1.99 billion in community benefit delivered by hospitals in 2022, and during a time when they are still struggling under economic pressures including high labor and supply costs.
2. Celebrating National Health Center Week: Honoring the Heartbeat of Community Health
This year’s theme, “Celebrating 60 Years of Progress,” honored six decades of community health centers improving access, equity and health outcomes for millions of Americans. Community health centers are not just providers; they are anchors in the communities they serve and are a critical part of our nation’s healthcare system
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on maternal mortality rates indicating an overall decrease from 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, to 18.6 in 2023. However, these encouraging numbers do not reflect improvements across all demographics as the rate for Black woman increased in 2023.
4. The Center’s Third Annual Meeting Welcomes Record Audience
The Center welcomed more than 250 people this year to ConnectNEO. Featuring panels and discussions comprised of local hospital leaders and professionals across the continuum of care, the day culminated in a fireside chat covering the critical intersections of healthcare, community and policy, between Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb and The Center’s President & CEO Brian Lane.
5. National EMS Week Shines Light on First Responders’ Vital Role in Regional Readiness
Every year, National EMS Week serves as an important reminder to appreciation the people who dedicate their lives to protecting and saving others. Observed May 18 – 24 this year, the week carried a powerful and timely theme: “We Care. For Everyone.” This theme speaks to the heart of what Emergency Medical Services truly represents.
6. Elimination of Medicaid Expansion Could Mean Loss of Coverage for 700,000+ Ohioans
A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that a proposal that was under consideration by Congress as part of budget negotiations to cut the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion rate could cause 20 million people to lose Medicaid coverage nationwide. In Ohio, KFF estimated that would mean a 23% decline, or 727,000 fewer people enrolled in Medicaid.
7. Congress Passes Continuing Resolution, Averting Shutdown and Funding Key Healthcare Provisions
The continuing resolution (CR) passed by Congress early this year to avoid a government shutdown included a number of hospital priorities advocated for by WellLink and its partners. Passed just hours before the midnight deadline, the CR provided continued funding through the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2025, for healthcare initiatives, national defense, and other government services.
8. Northeast Ohio Nurse Leaders Turn Workforce Challenges into Action
In mid-February, a group of Northeast Ohio’s top nursing and healthcare leaders gathered at the WellLink headquarters with a clear objective: move beyond discussion and chart a path toward solving one of healthcare’s most pressing issues — the future of the nursing workforce. What began as a focused panel hosted by the Greater Cleveland Organization for Nursing Leadership has since evolved into a broader movement.
9. New Regional Study Reveals How Social Drivers of Health Shape Daily Life
A new 10-county study released by the WellLink Health Alliance offers a look at how social drivers of health affect the well-being, economic stability, and day-to-day experiences of residents across Northeast Ohio. The survey underscores the powerful role that housing, transportation, food access, employment, and neighborhood conditions play in shaping both individual health outcomes and the region’s overall economic vitality.
10. Introducing WellLink: A Name That Reflects Our Commitment to Holistic Health and Connectivity
The Center for Health Affairs and its affiliate CHAMPS Group Purchasing proudly announced a significant milestone in our journey and unveiled our new brand, WellLink. This transformation reflects our expanded focus on fostering the health of our communities to include medical, social, and economic well-being.
And that’s a wrap! The team at WellLink and the Weekly Wrap Up look forward to serving up important and insightful content to readers in 2026.
