The grass is rarely greener on the other side of the fence.
Such is the case with our regional healthcare system at the moment.
Since Hospital Corporation of America bought out Mission Health in 2018, the ability of the Mission Health facilities to serve their communities has been a mixed bag in terms of results. On the plateau, we have been blessed to see needed improvements made at Highlands Cashiers Hospital and services added (such as general surgery).
The remote nature of Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire, Glenville, and all of the other small villages across our region speaks to the necessity of a well-supplied and well run local community hospital, and for the most part that is exactly the role HCH serves. CEO Tom Neal and his staff have done a commendable job of not only keeping the hospital stable, but improving it in critical areas.
Highlands Cashiers Hospital is currently a beacon on a hill within the Mission Health system, now of course owned by HCA.
On Tuesday, the independent monitor charged with making sure HCA meets the terms set forth in the HCA/Mission purchase agreement notified Dogwood Health Trust, and subsequently the NC Attorney General’s Office, of three possible areas of noncompliance. These concerns include the provision of Emergency and Trauma Services, and Oncology Services at Mission Health; failure to remain “enrolled and in good standing” in Medicare and Medicaid; and issues with Uninsured and Charity Care policies.
The news that HCA may be noncompliant in three areas comes just four days after a group of healthcare advocates from across Western North Carolina launched “Reclaim Healthcare WNC,” an initiative aimed at replacing HCA with a nonprofit healthcare system while also holding the company accountable for what the group claims are “a harmful culture and practices.”
Can Reclaim Healthcare WNC make an impact? Will HCA be able to get back into compliance with the state? What does the future of the Mission System as a whole look like 10 years from now?
Those are all big questions without clear answers. Let’s just enjoy our grass while it’s the greenest, and hope for the best.