Ascension St. John plans to end inpatient care at Nowata hospital. Residents are fighting back.

Ascension St. John is seeking federal approval to turn its Nowata hospital into a rural emergency facility, which would mean ending acute inpatient and swing-bed services. The model provides enhanced support to hospitals to maintain local access to emergency and outpatient services. The nonprofit health system said the move would support the long-term viability of local health care. But many…