ASHEVILLE, N.C. — HCA Healthcare has reached a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit that has affected the Mission Health system for the past three years. This lawsuit was initiated by four local governments in Western North Carolina, who argued that HCA’s practices led to increased healthcare costs and reduced quality in the region.
The governments involved in the lawsuit—Brevard, Asheville, Buncombe County, and Madison County—raised concerns about HCA’s monopolistic behavior following its acquisition of Mission Health in 2019, which included the only hospital in Asheville and several rural facilities. The plaintiffs alleged that this consolidation harmed the local healthcare landscape.
Under the terms of the settlement, HCA has agreed to contribute $1 million to a new charity fund aimed at assisting families and individuals with healthcare expenses for those up to 400% of the federal poverty level. This fund has been particularly welcomed by local officials.
Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof expressed satisfaction with the settlement, noting that it addresses long-standing community needs. “The additional three years for our hospital is exactly what we wanted,” she said. Furthermore, the commitment to establish adult daycare services in Brevard is a significant development, marking a long-awaited improvement for local healthcare offerings.
In addition to the charity fund, the settlement includes a commitment from HCA to keep Transylvania Regional Hospital operational until at least 2032 and to collaborate on finding a location for adult daycare services in Brevard. HCA will also seek verification for Mission Hospital in Asheville as a trauma center, further enhancing local healthcare capabilities. The agreement stipulates that additional information regarding Mission Health’s advisory boards will be shared with the plaintiffs.
Officials in Buncombe County commemorated this resolution as a step toward enhancing healthcare access. County spokesperson Kassi Day highlighted the contributions made by the medical professionals in the area and emphasized the importance of the settlement in bridging the healthcare gap for residents.
However, despite resolving this antitrust lawsuit, HCA continues to face criticism over its operations in the region. HCA is contesting a potential competitor—a planned 222-bed hospital by AdventHealth in Weaverville—further elevating its legal battles to the North Carolina Supreme Court.
HCA maintains that it has acted in accordance with federal and state antitrust laws, disputing the accusations of anti-competitive behavior. A spokesperson stated that the company believes its contracts do not contain any challenged provisions and that it has not restricted competition in the region.
Despite such assertions, HCA has faced accusations of monopolistic practices from various figures, including Governor Josh Stein and State Senator Julie Mayfield, who has been vocal about the need for healthcare alternatives in Western North Carolina.
The road ahead appears challenging for HCA, as it navigates ongoing scrutiny and a separate lawsuit from the state attorney general, which claims that HCA has compromised emergency and cancer care services. Furthermore, Buncombe County is pursuing legal action over alleged understaffing in emergency services at Mission Hospital, adding another layer to the scrutiny facing the company.
As this latest antitrust case concludes, the spotlight remains on HCA Healthcare’s future dealings and the implications for the health of communities in Western North Carolina.
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