From Staff Reports

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County on July 27 filed a class action antitrust lawsuit in Federal District Court against HCA Healthcare Inc., Mission Hospital,and related business entities, “seeking injunctive relief and damages resulting from anticompetitive practices,” according to a Buncombe County news release dated July 28.

“The 59-page complaint details an extensive pattern of behavior by HCA intended to monopolize healthcare markets in Western North Carolina, the result of which is artificially high prices for healthcare services and a reduced standard of care that has damaged, and continues to damage, local governments and private entities who act as self-insurers for their employees,” the county release noted.

The release quoted Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer as saying the following:

“This action was taken with careful consideration. 

“The Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners felt it was necessary to take this step to bring an end to predatory practices that limit HCA Healthcare’s competition and clearly result in overpriced and limited choices in people’s healthcare. 

“We believe this lawsuit will not only address the damages sustained by local governments and other self-insured organizations, but will also result in a fair and improved healthcare system for our entire community.”

Meanwhile, Brownie Newman, chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, was quoted in the release as stating the following:

“The county commissioners are concerned that HCA’s business operations monopolize healthcare, while artificially inflating prices, and self-insured organizations like ours have no other recourse. 

“On behalf of our public employees and our community, we have a responsibility to challenge these unfair business practices that harm patients and families at a time they are often most vulnerable.”

In response to the lawsuit, Nancy Lindell, spokesperson for Mission Health, released the following statement:

“Mission Health has been caring for Western North Carolina for more than 130 years and our dedication to providing excellent healthcare to our community will not waiver as we vigorously defend against this meritless litigation. 

“We are disappointed in this action and we continue to be proud of the heroic work our team does daily. 

“We are committed to caring for our communities as demonstrated through more than $270 million in Charity Care and uninsured discounts we provided in 2021, expansion of hospital services including the opening of the North Tower, a new Pediatric ER, and breaking ground on a new 120-bed behavioral health hospital, all while earning a Leapfrog Grade A for quality and safety. 

“Further, we have invested in our community by contributing more than $2.5 million to community programs and paying more than $53 million in taxes just in 2021. Mission Health is committed to the health and well-being of every person who comes to us for care and we are proud of our dedicated hospital teams and the exceptional care they provide to our patients.”