Asheville, NC — A recent lawsuit filed in federal court is bringing to light concerns about patient care and systemic inefficiencies within western North Carolina’s healthcare system, specifically targeting the practices at Asheville’s Mission Hospital. The legal action initiated by Buncombe County Government against HCA Healthcare, which took ownership of Mission and other regional hospitals in 2019, marks a significant challenge against the alleged monopolistic tendencies and profit-driven policies that may be exacerbating health care access issues in rural areas.
According to the lawsuit, since HCA’s acquisition of Mission Hospital, there has been a notable policy shift requiring that patients transferred from smaller regional hospitals be rerouted through Mission’s emergency room rather than being admitted directly to an inpatient unit. This change, officials claim, has led to not only unnecessary duplicated medical charges but also prolonged wait times, contributing to an overwhelmed emergency department.
Officials in Buncombe County argue that these enforced procedures benefit HCA financially while straining local resources. The county’s emergency medical services (EMS) teams are reportedly facing significant delays when transferring patients to Mission, leading to increased wait times and incurring additional costs.
In response, Nancy Lindell, a spokesperson for HCA, expressed disagreement with the allegations, stating the company plans to robustly defend its actions throughout the course of the legal proceedings.
The Mayor of Brevard, Maureen Copelof, highlighted the ripple effects these policies have on smaller communities like Transylvania County, where HCA also owns the only hospital. She explained that lengthy transfers and waiting periods at the emergency room monopolize critical local emergency services, putting further strain on the county’s limited EMS capabilities.
The situation is intensified by the logistical challenges unique to the region’s topography. For instance, in Transylvania County, the travel time to Asheville — assuming no delays — can take up to 1.5 hours. During such transfers, the county’s ability to respond to local emergencies is significantly compromised.
Looking for alternatives, some community leaders and residents are steering towards other facilities like Northeast Georgia’s hospital, which offers comparable services to Mission Asheville but is perceived as less burdened by bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Mayor Patrick Taylor of Highlands, situated in neighboring Macon County, observes an increasing trend where residents rely on out-of-state hospitals due to these ongoing issues.
Despite noticeable challenges, Western North Carolina’s geographical layout further complicates emergency medical coverage. In Macon County, for example, the distribution of the five ambulance crews over a vast, mountainous area requires careful prioritization of emergency calls, according to Warren Cabe, director of Macon County Emergency Services. This often means that only high-priority cases result in patient transfers out of the county.
As the lawsuit progresses, local governments and community leaders hope for reforms that will alleviate the pressures on emergency medical care availability and ensure better healthcare outcomes for residents of western North Carolina. This federal case could potentially be a pivotal point in addressing larger systemic issues within regional healthcare services dominated by a single corporate entity.