HCA has “gutted the heart and soul of our community healthcare system,” doctors write.
Author: Asheville Watchdog
Showing 22-42 of 95 results
Following Watchdog report, Mission sale monitor says meetings to offer public comment
“The fact that this was even a question is indicative of the frustration many are feeling in the community,” said Mark Weinstein, a Transylvania County resident who helped organize independent meetings. “Nobody seems to really be listening. And nobody seems to be able to do anything.”
Will Mission community meetings allow public comment?
Sen. Mayfield says executive told her there would be no time for people to address the room
State AG has been investigating Mission Hospital, but some question if it’s enough
Josh Stein, who’s running for governor, has sent six letters to HCA and purchase agreement monitor since start of year
Former Asheville Water director: ‘Incontrovertible evidence’ that shuttered pump station was key to water outage
Mike Holcombe, water director from 1993-97, remains adamant that the city is downplaying what he says is the major cause — the decommissioned East Asheville Booster Pump Station.
Messino Cancer Centers to stop providing acute leukemia chemotherapy at Mission
Messino’s decision not to provide acute hematology chemotherapy at Mission comes five months after a National Nurses United union nurse flagged concerns about potential cancer patient harm to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
County struggles to find foster homes for kids, many of whom have mental health needs
As of late August there were 337 children ages 0-17 in the Buncombe foster care system and another 43 who are 18 or older, according to data provided to The Watchdog. There were 60 foster homes licensed by DSS in Buncombe and 34 licensed relatives as of early September.
Asheville buskers are singing the blues
“I have noticed a dramatic loss of buskers in this town,” said Lyle Rickards, a leader of the Asheville Buskers Collective, a loose-knit group of some 300 street performers. “This year, I’d say there are 30 buskers in town for the season. Last year, we had 100.”
Opinion: The most intractable problem in Asheville — courtesy of Whole Foods — has become ‘just inhumane at this point’
The store’s main entrance sits on Merrimon Avenue, but to the rear lies Maxwell Street, a short, shaded route that runs between Chestnut and Broadway streets. The problem is that on this end of the building, Whole Foods has a loading dock, which was issued a permit by the city two decades ago.
Asheville City Council to hold closed session on City Manager Debra Campbell’s future employment
A low-key manager known for being reluctant to work in the spotlight, Campbell has maintained a low profile despite some very high-profile, controversial and sometimes contentious issues in the city.
After winter water crisis, Asheville to hire multiple new employees
In a presentation to Asheville City Council last week, David Melton, director of the Water Resources Department, said the five new positions for the “valve team” will allow the department to take a more active role on maintaining and checking valves.
Mission patients endangered by emergency department transfer procedures, nurses say
Asheville Watchdog obtained four complaint letters that were sent to NCDHHS and conducted exclusive interviews with nurses who had expressed concerns that the transfer procedures, known as handoffs, lead to needless delays in care and sometimes endanger patients.
Asheville businesses feel the pain of tourism decline
“Usually, it’s like someone flips a switch, and it’s game on,” said Will Gay, the owner of the Diamond Brand Outdoors shop on Biltmore Avenue, regarding the start of July, the second biggest month for tourism after October. “This year, it’s like someone forgot to flip the switch.”
Mission Cancer Center struggles to recruit and retain oncologists, HCA executive tells AG
Five of six medical oncologists hired since 2020 have left or are about to depart, leaving Mission Cancer Center with just one. The staffing level at the department has generated “serious concerns” and a threat of litigation from the state attorney general.
Remains at construction site were likely former slaves, parishioners of African American church
It is unclear how many sets of remains could be there, Tasha Benyshek, senior archaeologist with cultural resources management firm TRC, told Asheville Watchdog.
North Carolina Attorney General threatens HCA with litigation
In a June 20 letter to Greg Lowe, CEO of HCA’s North Carolina Division, the North Carolina Attorney General’s office cited HCA’s sharp reduction in cancer services, consisting of just one physician “where it once had as many as 14.”
Water outage report: City botched communications, mayor exerted “extreme” pressure on staff members
The outage spanned 11 days, from Dec. 24, 2022 through Jan. 4, 2023, left tens of thousands of customers without water and shut down businesses during the crucial holiday season.
Sheriff’s Report: Promised downtown partnership between Asheville police and Buncombe deputies never happened
When asked for comment on the report, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer issued the following statement: “The city and county partner in numerous ways and across many departments to bring services to residents. We are committed to continuing to enhance collaboration with the county and other regional partners.”
Down Town, Part 12: Affordable housing solves homelessness. Asheville has a problem
The key to managing homelessness is allowing affordable housing in one’s backyard. Some cities are better at that than others. Asheville? Not so much.
Down Town, Part 11: Better alternatives to mental illness treatments
Part 11 of Asheville Watchdog’s “Down Town” series looks at how other cities have confronted mental health issues — with greater success.
Down Town, Part 10: Looking to other cities for possible solutions
As we conclude the “Down Town” series, our Watchdog reporters turn their attention to other cities that have had some success in addressing the challenges we have in common.