Ashland has $4 million to spend after Asante ended inpatient care at the city’s hospital. The money stems from Asante's 2013 takeover of Ashland Community Hospital. As part of the agreement, Asante committed to operating the hospital through 2028 or paying the city $4 million. Competition from larger hospitals in Medford contributed to financial problems at the Ashland hospital, leading to the merger with Asante in 2013. Fernando Gapasin of the Save Our Ashland Community Hospital coalition urged the city to create a health district.