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Proactive's John Savin publishes fresh research note on Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies

Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings PLC

Proactive research analyst John Savin speaks to Thomas Warner after publishing a new report on Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings PLC (LSE:OCTP, OTCQB:OCTHF), in which he looks ahead to what investors can expect from the business on the clinical side during 2023. Savin gives the highlights from the report and discusses the company's financial position. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

February 01, 2023 06:42 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Can a Cannabis Bridge Loan Cover the Gap Between Long-Term Financing?

Canna Business Resources

Financing a purchase or refinancing a loan can be difficult — especially if you don't have adequate credit history. But there are several options available that can make the process easier. One borrowing option is a bridge loan, which can cover the gap between your current financing and the long-term financing you are waiting for. Bridge loans differ from long-term loans in that they have shorter terms and a higher interest rate than long-term loans. They are only a temporary solution until you have obtained the long-term financing you need. This article will help you understand the ins and outs of getting a bridge loan, using it correctly and dealing with lender requirements. What Are Bridge Loans? A bridge loan is a specific type of short-term loan that is used to cover the gap between when you make your purchase or refinance your current mortgage and when you have a long-term financing option in place. This type of financing is often used by small-business owners who want to purchase real estate, equipment or other capital-intensive business needs but lack the necessary funds to do so. Several types of bridge loans are available to help you meet your financing needs while waiting for the long-term financing you are looking for. How Does a Bridge Loan Work? While a traditional mortgage can cover you for up to 30 years, depending on your income and other factors, a bridge loan is used only for a specific amount of time. You can usually apply for one right after you receive approval for your mortgage, and your lender can help you determine which type of bridge loan is right for you. Many types of bridge loans are available, and they vary in the amount you can borrow, interest rate, fees and other conditions. Each type of bridge loan has slightly different eligibility requirements you must meet to be approved. You will also need to provide the lender with certain information about yourself and your business. Your lender will need to know your personal and business credit score and the income and credit history of your business and its owners. It is important that you understand what you are getting into before you agree to the loan terms. Steps to Getting a Bridge Loan If you’re seeking a bridge loan, these are the steps you need to take to make sure you can get one. Step 1. Find a lender Just like when you are applying for a traditional mortgage, the first step in getting a bridge loan is finding a lender that will approve your application. Because bridge loans are less common than standard mortgages, you will have limited options when it comes to lenders. Some of the lenders that may be able to work with you include banks, mortgage brokers and other financial lenders. It is important to shop around and compare your options to find the one that best meets your needs. Step 2. Apply for a loan After you find a lender to work with, you will need to apply for a bridge loan by submitting the application and supporting materials requested by the lender. In most cases, you will be asked to submit the following documents: Completed loan application form Personal financials with assets and liabilities Proof of income and employment history W-2 forms and tax returns Copy of federal ID Credit report and credit score Income and asset information for the owners of the business being financed Most lenders will require at least three years of income tax returns for the applicant as well as proof of ownership for the property being financed. Additionally, most lenders will require you to provide personal financial statements documenting your assets and liabilities as well as your monthly income and expenses. Some lenders may also require an appraisal of the property being financed to determine the value of the property and whether it meets the minimum value requirements for a bridge loan. Step 3. Wait for a decision Once you have submitted the necessary documentation to your lender, it will usually take between one and two weeks for your application to be reviewed, but some lenders have fast financing options that can happen within days. This may not always be the case, however, as some lenders may take longer to provide you with a decision than others. Regardless, getting a decision for a bridge loan is generally always faster than getting approved for a long-term loan. Bridge Loan Example Say you are moving your dispensary to a new and improved brick-and-mortar location, but the property where your store is currently located is not yet for sale, sold or vacant. In this situation, you could take out a bridge loan to finance the purchase of the property until you are ready to sell it. You would use this loan to purchase the property until you are able to sell your current property and repay the bridge loan with the proceeds of the sale. This approach would allow you to take advantage of the low-interest rate associated with bridge loans while still giving you time to sell the property or find another financing option if you are not able to sell the property in a reasonable amount of time Considerations With Bridge Loans Reading a loan agreement carefully to make sure you understand everything before signing it is just as key as a traditional loan. Paying attention to bridge loan terms will help ensure that you do not default on the loan. If you fail to make payments on your loan, the lender will have the option to take the property back or pursue legal action against you to recover the debt. The lender will also have the right to seize your property if you become delinquent on your mortgage payments. To avoid any problems down the road, make sure you fully understand the terms of your loan before you agree to them. Do Costs Outweigh the Benefits? Bridge loans can be 2% of the total cost of the loan, on top of the thousands of dollars it can cost to get the loan and other fees. If you need the loan, but don’t have the cash flow to deal with excessive costs, the costs might outweigh the benefits for you. Can You Repay The Loan? A bridge loan is generally only taken out when you know a longer-term loan is on its way, that way the longer-term loan can pay back the bridge loan. If you can’t pay off your bridge loan you can lose the property or equipment you’re trying to buy. Is a Bridge Loan Right for Your Needs? Aside from bridge loans, plenty of other short-term loan options are available. Bridge loan alternatives include: Blanket loans Personal loans 80-10-10 loans Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) Bridge Your Financing Gap A bridge loan can get you where you need to get faster, but is a bridge loan the right thing for you? If the terms are correct for your situation, a bridge loan can get you out of a financial bind, but make sure you understand what you’re signing up for to create the perfect plan to get your business in the right place. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Canna Business Resources info@cannabusinessresources.com Company Website https://cannabusinessresources.com/

January 31, 2023 03:58 PM Eastern Standard Time

Cannabis Financing for Retail, Commercial and Industrial Businesses

Canna Business Resources

The growth, sale, and distribution of marijuana is a burgeoning industry, and many business owners are capitalizing on this opportunity. But if you want your business to expand, you’ll need an influx of working capital to help you hire new workers, develop new product lines, or make other investments. Unfortunately, cannabis financing isn’t as easy to come by as other types of business loans. If you’re a cannabis business owner, this guide can help you gain access to the financing you need for your business to flourish. How Do Cannabis Businesses Obtain Financing? The profits of your cannabis business can be reinvested into your company, helping you make adjustments to your business model as you grow. But to make large-scale changes, you’ll need business financing to cover the cost of commercial real estate, inventory, equipment, payroll, or other essential needs. Consider the following best practices to help secure the cannabis loans you need to fund your business. 1. Update Your Business Plan There’s a good chance you created a business plan when you first launched your company. But if you’re seeking new funds for your business, it may be time to revise and update that plan to reflect your new goals. For example, you might update your business plan to include: New product lines Changes in your leadership structure Revisions in your marketing strategy Specific funding needs Most cannabis lenders will want to evaluate your business plan before approving a loan. Having a revised business plan that reflects your future goals can demonstrate your strategy for the future and improve your chances of securing cannabis financing. 2. Find a Lender Who Offers Cannabis Financing Despite the growing acceptance of the cannabis industry, most traditional banks and lending institutions do not offer loans to cannabis business owners. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) does not offer loans to cannabis businesses either. The good news is that you can choose from non-traditional lending options. Most lenders will expect to see your business plan, as well as the financial records of existing businesses. They’ll also perform a thorough credit check to determine your eligibility for financing. Gathering your financial documents together prior to meeting with your lender can streamline the process. Even though cannabis lenders are hard to come by, comparing rates and terms from at least three lenders still makes sense to ensure you get the best possible deal. 3. Make a Plan to Repay the Loan Your business plan should already include some basic revenue projections, but you’ll also need to think about the future to ensure that you’ll be able to repay the loan in addition to any interest. It’s important to borrow only what you need; otherwise, you can find yourself saddled with an unmanageable amount of debt that can inflate your overhead costs and cripple your ability to expand. 4. Consider Alternative Funding Sources Cannabis lenders aren’t the only way to fund your business. As an entrepreneur, you might also consider funding sources such as: Crowdsourcing Social equity lending programs (reserved for disadvantaged entrepreneurs) Credit cards Building partnerships with angel investors These sources vary when it comes to effectiveness, but they might be a good way to supplement the business financing you receive through your lender. Advantages of Financing for Cannabis Businesses Every entrepreneur understands that it takes money to make money. Cannabis financing can provide the working capital you’ll need to maintain and grow your business. Here are just a few of the advantages of pursuing financing for your cannabis business. Fund New Needs Cannabis business owners will regularly be on the lookout for ways to expand their business and pursue new revenue streams. Cannabis loans give you the working capital to accomplish such goals as: Purchasing new inventory Updating existing equipment Obtaining new licenses Developing new vendor partnerships Hiring new employees Focusing on these priorities can help you refine your business strategy and carry your cannabis business into the next phase of its operations. Maintain Your Cash Flow Cash flow refers to the money that moves into — and out of — your business at any given time. A business loan improves your cash flow in the short term, giving you access to the money you’ll need to cover your ongoing expenses, such as payroll and taxes. Expand Your Business How do you plan to grow your business? Business loans can be used to make capital improvements, hire new employees or invest in research and development to take your business to the next level. The funds give you a chance at greater profits and keep your business thriving for years to come. Considerations with Cannabis Financing As a business owner, you’ll have to consider a few factors when you obtain a loan. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind. Interest Rates Since cannabis loans can’t be obtained from a traditional lender, interest rates may not be as competitive as other lending options. This factor is why it’s important to compare interest rates between multiple lenders to secure the most affordable financing. Loan Types Business financing doesn’t always come in the form of a lump-sum loan. A business line of credit can give you access to funds up to a certain amount, which you can then pay off, much like a consumer credit card. This method can be a way to stay flexible if you’re unsure of your financial needs. Penalties and Fees Most lenders will charge a fee for late payments, but some will charge a fee if you attempt to pay your loan off before the expiration date. Others will charge an origination fee, which can drive up the final cost of the loan. Make sure to ask about these fees before you commit to a lender. Tap into a Growing Industry According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), cannabis business owners earned over $12 billion in revenue in 2019, a number expected to increase to $31.1 billion by 2024. Cannabis financing can help you gain traction in this lucrative industry and keep your company growing. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Canna Business Resources info@cannabusinessresources.com Company Website https://cannabusinessresources.com/

January 31, 2023 03:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

Digital Addiction is Affecting Adolescent Brain Development, Mental Health Experts Warn

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Is your child addicted to social media? New research shows that social media could be reprogramming children’s brains—and psychologists warn parents that they need to pay closer attention. “Once a habit like constantly checking social media is formed, it’s difficult for adolescents to self-regulate, so parents may need to step in,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The new research focuses on overuse of screen time by adolescents in a three-year neurological study by the University of North Carolina. Results published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association, show significant changes in the brains of 12 and 13-year-olds who reported habitually checking Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. An earlier neurobiological study reported in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, showed another troubling effect: compulsive adolescent tweeters had widespread and significant decreases of functional connectivity in their brain’s cortico-striatal circuits. According to these studies, social media may alter neurodevelopment, significantly changing the ways in which the adolescent brain responds to its environment. Dr. Nealon said that since the brain undergoes significant structural and functional reorganization during adolescence, habitual checking of social media may further increase the already enhanced activity in the amygdala and insula, creating hyperactive neural responses to the anticipation of more “likes” and social media feedback. “The result is an ever-increasing need for digital social rewards and a reduction of ability to resist urges to check for feedback on social media platforms,” she explained. “This never-ending loop could interfere with school, athletics, friendships and other real world social interactions that are important for normal psychosocial development.” To counter addiction to digital media, Dr. Nealon has recommendations for parents: Limit screen time to under three hours a day, depending on your child’s age and activity level. Set parental controls on social media sites and monitor the content your child is viewing. Facilitate play dates and extracurricular activities to help develop other social skills About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Vivien Hao +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu

January 31, 2023 11:11 AM Pacific Standard Time

Galexxy’s Wellbeing Farms Expands Smart Vending Kiosk Distribution to Texas

GALEXXY HLDGS INC.

McapMediaWire -- Galexxy Holdings Inc., (“Galexxy” or “Company”) (OTC: GXXY ) is pleased to announce that its 100% owned subsidiary, Wellbeing Farms LLC, (“Wellbeing,” or “WBF”) has executed its second strategic commercial supply and lease agreement with Delta 8 LLC (Delta) and its associated company, uVending LLC (uVending). Delta is developing the market in Texas for the sale and supply of its proprietary D88 products which are being manufactured by Wellbeing under an exclusive white label supply agreement. Delta will generate its D88 product sales utilizing customized, attractively branded Smart Vending Kiosks supplied by its Associate, uVending LLC., which are purchased under a blanket leasing agreement from Wellbeing Farms. Wellbeing’s customized Smart Kiosks are very distinctive, featuring glass fronted, backlit product displays to maximize product appeal and are equipped with patented ID-Age verification capability in order to comply with Texas state law. Based on their initial estimates, Delta is planning to install over six hundred D88 Smart Kiosks in the next 2 years which could potentially generate approximately $3,500,000 per month in D88 wholesale product purchases from Wellbeing. Michael Biagi, Wellbeing’s CEO stated that; “We are excited by the huge marketing potential of generating recurring product revenue through the placement of our Smart Kiosks by strategic partners who pay us to lease the kiosks to earn a share of the sales revenue”. He further stated that “We’re not limited to our current product range and can readily adapt Kiosk inventory to satisfy market needs.” Headquartered in Newport Beach, California with manufacturing facilities in Murietta, California, Galexxy’s shares are publicly traded on the OTC Markets (OTC: GXXY). Galexxy entered the rapidly developing markets for premium natural plant-based consumer health supplement products in April 2021 and completed its acquisition of Wellbeing Farms LLC., on August 4, 2022 and purchased 69% of ABC Wholesale Products LLC., on August 12, 2022. Galexxy Holdings Inc. Iain Saul E: Iain@galexxyholdings.com M: (801) 243 9570 Forward-Looking Information This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “statements”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. www.wellbeingfarms.com https://twitter.com/GXXYHoldings www.delta88.vip www.uvending.vip Contact Details Galexxy Holdings Iain Saul +1 801-243-9570 Iain@galexxyholdings.com Company Website http://www.wellbeingfarms.com/

January 31, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Valeo Pharma announces company has filed new drug submission with Health Canada for sabizabulin

Valeo Pharma Inc.

Valeo Pharma chief executive Steve Saviuk joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has been told by Health Canada they have accepted for review Veru’s New Drug Submission (NDS-CV) for sabizabulin for COVID-19. Saviuk told Proactive Sabizabulin is an antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent being developed for the treatment of hospitalized moderate to severe COVID-19 adult patients at high risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. The company will now wait to hear back from Health Canada. Contact Details Proactive Investors Stephen Gunnion +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

January 30, 2023 11:59 AM Eastern Standard Time

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2023 Trends in New Drug Development

Syntekabio, Inc.

Syntekabio (KOSDAQ:226330.KQ)(226330:KS), a global AI drug discovery and development company, will participate in a special webinar hosted by the New York Health Forum (NYHF) on the latest drug discovery and development trends. What is at the core of transforming a once lengthy process full of complexity and uncertainties? Advancements in new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), Covid-19 and drug pricing legislation have disrupted drug discovery and development in the global biopharma industry. Syntekabio is leading this industry-wide transformation with its latest invention STB CLOUD, which can give clinical-stage pharmaceutical companies with limited drug discovery capability an ideal one-stop solution for fully automatic drug discovery. In this webinar, renowned industry experts and leaders, along with Syntekabio’s Principal Scientist Hyun Joo, will address how the industry can continue innovation amid challenges and opportunities under the current economic conditions and discuss the best strategies forward. Details of the event are as follows: WHAT: NYHF Special Webinar III WHEN: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET WHERE: Online via Zoom WHO: Taewan Kim, PhD, Professor, Columbia University; Kern Chang, PhD, Scientific Integrator/Associate Director, Janssen R&D; Hyun Joo, PhD, Principal Scientist/Director, Syntekabio; and John Duguid, PhD, Managing Director, Auctus Capital. The panel will be moderated by Joseph McMenamin, MD, JD, EVP, W Medical Strategy Group. NOTE: The webinar requires registration. It is free and open to the public. Register here to attend. A Q&A will follow the discussion. SyntekaBio is a global artificial intelligence (AI) and big data-based drug discovery and development company, headquartered in South Korea since 2009, with its U.S. operations bringing innovative technologies and science to create transformative medicines worldwide that are compliant with international standards to cure diseases and improve people's lives. Find out more about DeepMatcher®, NEO-ARS™, NGS-ARS™ and PGM-ARS™ at www.syntekabio.com. Contact Details Syntekabio USA | WMSG Sabina Lee +1 201-408-5342 wgroup@wmedical.org Company Website https://www.syntekabio.com/eng

January 30, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Vitaquest International Joins Council for Responsible Nutrition as Voting Member

Vitaquest

Vitaquest International, an industry-leading product development and commercialization partner in nutraceuticals and functional foods announced today that it has been accepted as a Voting Member at the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) (Washington, DC). The 50-year-old CRN is a leading standards-promoting and advocacy association representing producers of dietary supplements, functional foods and health-promoting ingredients. According to Patrick Brueggman, Chief Executive Officer of Vitaquest, the move to join CRN reinforces recognition by the company of the impact and value the trade association has on advancing the scientific, quality and ethical standards of the nutraceuticals and functional foods industries. “The Council for Responsible Nutrition is a leader in focusing attention and supporting the issues that are critical to the advancement of our industry. Over their 50-year history, they have advocated for best practices in clinical science, manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety,” he said. “We are delighted to become a voting member of CRN as we share its commitment to advancing all these best practices and to building trust with consumers as we provide finished products that support their health. We’re looking forward to engaging with other member companies of CRN and adding Vitaquest’s voice to a dialogue that looks to move our industry ahead,” he said. Brueggman has been appointed to the Council for Responsible Nutrition Board of Directors. Manufacturing Quality Supplements and Functional Foods for Over 45 years Vitaquest has been delivering innovation in consumer products since 1977. Over the last 45-plus years the company has established itself as one of the premier product development and manufacturing companies in the nutraceutical and functional foods business. It has grown as a result of successful collaborations with customers, its continual investment in the facilities and capabilities needed to support customers, and the company’s ability to anticipate the requirements of their markets. This is a full-service offering that includes formulation assistance, manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and fulfillment. Today, the company produces more than 4,000 custom formulas each year, serving more than 500 brands in 40 countries. On the quality front, Vitaquest offers its TotalQ™ Commitment to Quality, an initiative that draws on the company's activities in a broad range of functions and disciplines including raw material sourcing, ingredient integrity testing, product design, internal QA systems and final product Assurance. The company also offers VQ Solutions, a turnkey warehousing and fulfillment option for customers that starts from our manufacturing floor and ends at their customer’s location – getting products faster to market, reducing shipping costs and providing storage in a fully-certified storage facility. Says Brueggman, “At Vitaquest, we like to say that we can help our customers deliver what’s next in the health and well-being market. We feel that CRN has their eye on the future of our industry and we look forward to working closely with them to improve what comes next”. “The Council for Responsible Nutrition is a leader in focusing attention and supporting the issues that are critical to the advancement of our industry. Over their 50-year history, they have advocated for best practices in clinical science, manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety. We are delighted to become a voting member of CRN as we share its commitment to advancing all these best practices and to building trust with consumers as we provide finished products that support their health." -- Patrick Brueggman, CEO of Vitaquest. About Vitaquest International Headquartered in West Caldwell, NJ USA, Vitaquest International is an industry-leading development and commercialization partner for consumer products featuring a broad array of innovative solutions in nutraceutical and functional foods. A leader in the design and development of new, standards-based quality initiatives, a comprehensive commitment to quality – called TotalQ™ – is at the core of Vitaquest as a company. With over 45 years of history, Vitaquest has the market insight, global reach and scale of operations to support emerging and existing consumer brands from the idea to the store shelf – with flawless execution in every phase. Contact Details Resource Advantage Dan Green dgreen@resourceadvantage.com

January 30, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Central Health Sues Ascension for Failing to Live Up to its Contractual Commitments to Care for Travis County Residents with Low Income

Central Health

Central Health sued Ascension Texas (Ascension), formerly known as Seton Healthcare Family, Tuesday for failing to meet its contractual obligations to provide healthcare for Travis County residents with low income. Several hours after Central Health filed its original petition, Ascension filed suit. “We were out of options,” said Mike Geeslin, President & CEO of Central Health, in regard to Central Health’s petition. “Ascension’s persistent failures to honor its contractual commitments left Central Health with no choice but to file a lawsuit to hold Ascension accountable for not providing adequate, equitable healthcare services for people with low income in Travis County. Their practices have caused real harm to the people we serve.” History: City of Austin, Ascension, and Central Health When it was formed in 2004, Central Health inherited the City of Austin’s relationship with Ascension, which was intended to help fulfill Central Health’s mission to care for Travis County residents with low income. As part of that relationship, Ascension operated University Medical Center Brackenridge Hospital and provided healthcare to Travis County’s safety-net population. After Central Health was formed, it acquired the property on which University Medical Center Brackenridge sat; however, pursuant to a lease, Ascension continued to operate that hospital. Unlike other major urban hospital districts in Texas, Central Health has never operated a public hospital. Instead, it relies on Ascension to keep its long-standing contractual commitments to provide hospital and most specialty care to Travis County’s safety-net population. Long-Standing Contractual Relationship Between Central Health and Ascension Between 2004 and 2013, Central Health and Ascension worked together under a Safety Net Agreement to provide healthcare services to Travis County residents with low income. In 2013, Ascension recommitted to its contractual obligation to care for Travis County residents with low income, and it agreed that going forward, it would provide at least “the current levels of healthcare services,” including hospital and specialty care, that it had been providing. These renewed contractual commitments applied to patients enrolled in Central Health’s Medical Access Program (MAP), which is a health coverage program for uninsured Travis County residents with low income (MAP Patients), and to certain patients who are “financially indigent” or “medically indigent,” as defined by Ascension’s Charity Care Policy (Charity Care Patients). Per the 2013 Safety Net Agreement between Ascension and Central Health, Ascension continued to receive compensation for providing care and participated in projects eligible for Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver funding. Ascension also received additional public funding. In addition, Ascension was permitted to affiliate with the Central Health-supported Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, as part of the development of the new teaching and safety-net hospital—Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas at Austin. In operating Dell Seton Medical Center, Ascension is standing in for Central Health, as the local hospital district, in providing healthcare services to Travis County residents with low income. Thus, Ascension’s right to operate the hospital is conditioned on Ascension fulfilling its contractional obligations to Central Health. Ascension Caring for Fewer Patients Ascension’s own data shows that it has failed to provide healthcare services to MAP Patients and Charity Care Patients at the agreed-upon 2013 levels. In the 2022 contract year, Ascension served approximately 8,000 fewer patients in the hospital compared with the 2013 contract year, reflecting a roughly 21% reduction. Patient encounters also dropped. In the 2022 contract year there were approximately 31,000 fewer patient hospital encounters (including inpatient services, outpatient services, and emergency room visits) compared with the 2013 contract year, reflecting a roughly 33% reduction. Central Health alleges that Ascension’s failures apply not only to the overall levels of healthcare services, but also to numerous specialty areas, including general surgery, mammography, oncology radiation therapy, orthopedics, otolaryngology, podiatry, plastic surgery, pulmonology, and rheumatology. “While Ascension substantially benefited from its contracts with Central Health, it failed to meet its commitments to us,” said Dr. Charles Bell, Central Health Board of Managers Chair. “Over the years, Ascension has cared for fewer and fewer patients and that’s neither acceptable nor contractually allowable. We reached a point where our only option was taking Ascension to court. We hoped it would never come to this.” “We believe Ascension’s failure to provide agreed-upon healthcare cannot be explained by a lack of need in our community or by mere happenstance,” said Casey Dobson of Scott Douglass & McConnico, the law firm representing Central Health. “We believe it stems from Ascension reducing, capping, and eliminating services for MAP Patients and Charity Care Patients. The unfortunate reality is that many Travis County residents with low income who needed critical care from Ascension did not receive that care.” The End of the Line: Pursuing Equity, Declarations, and Damages Central Health and Ascension have been talking and negotiating for years to try and rectify the situation. Last week, Central Health and Ascension reached the end of their contractually required alternative dispute resolution efforts. When those efforts failed, Central Health had no other option but to seek court intervention. The Lawsuit In its lawsuit, Central Health asserts breach-of-contract claims against Ascension for the following things: Failing to provide agreed-upon healthcare services to low-income Travis County residents, both overall and in relation to several specialty areas; Failing to provide healthcare services to MAP Patients and Charity Care Patients on a nondiscriminatory basis; Improperly billing Charity Care Patients for healthcare services; and Not providing required reports that Central Health needs to monitor, on behalf of Travis County residents, Ascension’s compliance with performance standards. Additionally, because Ascension’s failures are so consequential, Central Health seeks a judicial declaration that would entitle it to terminate agreements with Ascension and trigger Central Health’s option to purchase Dell Seton Medical Center. “This option is not something we wanted to pursue,” said Dr. Bell. “But we have to do what is necessary to ensure that, in the future, this safety-net hospital will deliver the level and quality of care that Travis County residents with low income need and deserve.” Central Health also seeks other declarations to resolve ongoing disagreements with and relating to Ascension. A copy of the complete Original Petition is available here. ### About Central Health Central Health is the local hospital district that connects one in seven Travis County residents with low income to quality health care. We work with a network of partners to eliminate health disparities and reach our vision of Travis County becoming a model healthy community. Contact Details Ted Burton, Chief Communications Officer Central Health +1 512-797-8200 Ted.Burton@centralhealth.net

January 27, 2023 12:00 PM Central Standard Time

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