Mission Health, HCA Healthcare settle antitrust lawsuit filed by local governments

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Mission Health and HCA Healthcare have announced a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit filed by a group of regional towns and counties.

The lawsuit, initially filed in 2022 by the City of Brevard, was later joined by the City of Asheville, as well as Buncombe and Madison counties. In the suit, these municipalities – the plaintiffs – allege that anti-competitive practices took place after HCA Healthcare’s acquisition of Mission Health.

City of Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof told News 13 she’s happy with the settlement.

“I am pleased with the settlement,” Copelof said. “It’s been something that we’ve been working very hard to make sure that everybody has accessibility to healthcare.”

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While the details of the settlement remain sealed by the court, HCA Healthcare and Mission Health stated in a press release on Aug. 13 that they deny any wrongdoing or violation of antitrust laws.

The release reads, in part:

“While Mission Health and HCA support this resolution, both deny the allegations made against them by plaintiffs. Mission Health and HCA believe that their conduct was, at all times, consistent with federal and state antitrust laws, that none of Mission Health’s contracts contained the provisions challenged by Plaintiffs, and that neither Mission Health nor HCA has done anything to exclude competition or limit insurance company innovation in Western North Carolina.”

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As part of the resolution in the settlement, Mission Health says it has agreed to donate $1 million to establish a new charity fund. This fund is intended to assist individuals and families who earn up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level with healthcare expenses, per the release.

The resolution also states that Mission Health will commit to keeping Transylvania Regional Hospital open for at least three more years beyond the initial 10-year period agreed upon in the original sale to HCA.

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Other key points of the settlement include:

• Mission Health says it will provide a suitable space for adult day care services in Brevard.
• Mission Health says it will pursue quality verification as a trauma center for Mission Hospital.
• Mission Health says it will provide plaintiffs with further information about its advisory boards.

A City of Brevard Council meeting is happening on Monday, August 18, where the board will decide to either accept or deny the settlement, Copelof confirmed.

“I think in terms of our community healthcare, this gets us some things that’s very high priority with our community that I was fighting for,” Copelof said.