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Exeter Hospital patients say they are scrambling for answers about care after recent service cuts and are questioning the benefits of Exeter Health Resources merger with Beth Israel Lahey Health. (Sullivan, 5/4)

Baptist Health plans to eliminate multiple services and clinics at its Fort Smith hospital. The cuts will affect an estimated 150 employees, including 10 physicians, according to a statement from the Little Rock, Arkansas-based system. The layoffs will take place over the next 60 days. (DeSilva, 5/1)

The Tallahassee branch of the NAACP and a group of Tallahassee residents claim Tallahassee Memorial Hospital would be operating without a license due to it and Florida State University still negotiating a lease. (Wood, 5/2)

State and local leaders are raising red flags over a proposed combination of WakeMed Health & Hospitals with Charlotte-based Atrium Health. They want more time to scrutinize the deal, citing concerns about costs and competition. (Crouch and Hoban, 5/4)

Dozens of nurses and community members picketed outside of the University Medical Center of New Orleans on Friday (May 1) morning after accusing the hospital of bad faith bargaining in a federal labor complaint. “UMC, you’re no good, treat your patients like you should,” the protesters chanted during their march on the corner of Canal and S. Galvez streets. Friday marked the first day of the nurses’ five-day strike — their longest since they entered contract negotiations. (Parker, 5/1)

In the back room of a fire station, Jill Ridenhour opens a package. Printed on the side, in all caps, it reads “Human Blood.” Ridenhour is a field supervisor for emergency medical services at Summit Fire and EMS in Colorado’s ski country. She pulls out a clear pouch filled with dark liquid and examines it. (Cohen, 5/1)