North Carolina health systems compete for 92 hospital beds

Four healthcare systems are competing for a certificate of need to provide 92 new acute care hospital beds in Western North Carolina. During a recent hearing at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, representatives from HCA Healthcare’s Mission Hospital, AdventHealth, UNC Health, and Novant Health presented their respective proposals to state regulators.

The proposals vary significantly in scale and location. Mission Hospital aims to add all 92 beds to its existing Asheville campus at an estimated cost of $66.8 million. AdventHealth proposes incorporating the beds into a new facility in Weaverville, creating a 185-bed hospital for approximately $272.7 million. UNC Health has proposed building a new 92-bed facility at the former Westgate Mall site for roughly $747.3 million, while Novant Health seeks to add 20 beds to an approved facility in Arden at a cost of $100.6 million.

The proceeding was marked by significant public opposition toward Mission Hospital and its owner, HCA. Residents expressed distrust regarding the certificate of need process and the regional concentration of healthcare resources. The outcome will determine whether the region gains a second full-service hospital operator or if the current dominant system expands its footprint.