\n<\/p>\n
This week, HCA Healthcare finalized a settlement regarding an antitrust lawsuit that has affected the Asheville-based Mission Health system for three years.<\/p>\n
In 2022, four local governments in Western North Carolina filed a lawsuit against HCA Healthcare and Mission Health. They alleged that the companies engaged in unfair, monopolistic practices that drove up healthcare costs and lowered the quality of services in the mountainous region.<\/p>\n
HCA Healthcare operates Asheville’s only hospital and six rural hospitals in the area. These facilities were part of Mission Health, which HCA acquired in 2019.<\/p>\n
The settlement includes several key agreements that will benefit the plaintiffs: the city of Brevard, the city of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Madison County. Here are the terms of the settlement:<\/p>\n
Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof expressed satisfaction with the settlement. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt addresses several of our community’s needs,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve advocated to extend the operation period for our hospital, and this additional three years aligns perfectly with what the community desires. Also, the commitment to work on adult daycare services is something we’ve long wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local government leaders appreciate the establishment of the charity care fund. \u201cThat million dollars is definitely valued,\u201d Copelof mentioned, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to healthcare.<\/p>\n
Buncombe County, home to Asheville, shares similar sentiments. \u201cWe are thankful for the dedicated healthcare workers, especially as costs can be burdensome for many,\u201d said Kassi Day, a spokesperson for Buncombe County. \u201cHCA\u2019s contribution is vital to help narrow that gap.\u201d<\/p>\n
This resolution comes at a time when HCA is currently opposing a new hospital being proposed by AdventHealth in Buncombe County. HCA\u2019s case against this facility has reached the North Carolina Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
Despite the settlement, HCA maintains that the company has not engaged in any anti-competitive behavior. \u201cWhile Mission Health and HCA support this resolution, both deny the allegations made against them,\u201d stated HCA in a press release. They claim they have adhered to all federal and state antitrust laws and argue that their contracts have not restricted competition.<\/p>\n
However, HCA has faced criticism from various leaders, including Governor Josh Stein and State Senator Julie Mayfield. Mayfield criticized HCA\u2019s monopoly, stating, \u201cHCA prefers to keep its monopoly intact, which harms competition and options for consumers.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the antitrust case is now resolved, HCA still faces challenges in managing rural hospitals, including recent low ratings for Transylvania Regional Hospital, which received one star from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. This rating represents the lowest performance level.<\/p>\n
The resolution of this lawsuit is just one part of ongoing legal issues surrounding HCA\u2019s operation of Mission Health. Other lawsuits concerning allegations of inadequate emergency and cancer care remain unresolved.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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