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HCA, Mission Health Open Acquisition Talks

News  |  By John Commins  
   March 23, 2018

The deal would make Mission Health the first HCA-owned health system in North Carolina, and create a foundation to fund population health initiatives in the western regions of the state.

HCA Healthcare is negotiation the acquisition of Asheville, NC-based Mission Health, the two health systems announced this week.

If the deal is finalized, Mission Health would become the first health system in North Carolina owned by Nashville, TN-based HCA, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain.

Mission President and CEO Ronald A. Paulus, MD, said HCA understood that his six-hospital nonprofit health system had the resources to remain independent, "and yet we both recognize that meeting our core missions could be achieved more effectively together."

"It is a tribute to the Mission Health Board and team that we are in such a position of strength that we can make the best choice for our people, our patients and our communities," he said. "We believe that HCA Healthcare uniquely provides the experience, scale and resources that will enable Mission Health to enhance and expand our services in western North Carolina."

The proposed acquisition would transition the 130-year-old Mission Health to a for-profit health system, which is "expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenues for the area," the two health systems said in their joint announcement.


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In addition, a letter of intent unanimously approved by the Mission board this week includes a proposal to establish a foundation that would invest in initiatives to improve the health of people living in the service area.

Mission Health generates more than $1.5 billion in annual revenues, and includes six hospitals, with more than 1,000 licensed beds, outpatient and surgery centers, a long-term acute care hospital, and a Level II trauma center. Mission is the sixth-largest health system in North Carolina and employs approximately 12,000 people.

In 2017, Mission was embroiled in a public spat with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the dominant payer for the region.    

John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.


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