Two health facilities and a local cancer doctor sent a letter to Gov. Bev Purdue, urging her to “curtail the perceived predatory business practices currently undertaken by Mission” Health System. The authors of the letter are Park Ridge Health CEO Jimm Bunch, 21st Century Oncology’s Barton Paschal and HOPE Women’s Cancer Center’s Nathan Williams. Here’s press release, letter, and links to related articles.
“The COPA Debate” (May 3 Xpress (a chat with Rep. Jim Davis, who proposed a bill that would place a moratorium on Mission acquisitions, mergers and partnerships, and cut by half the number of local physicians it can employ).
“Rescue Mission? Davis bill would hurt Angel Medical, says CEO” (May 17 Xpress) (a talk with Angel Medical Center CEO Tim Hubbs, who says his Franklin hospital needs a partnership with Mission — the community hospital moved forward with a partnership agreement: The Asheville Citizen-Times reported on May 21 that Angel officials did indeed agree to be managed by Mission).
The Feb. 2011 “Economic Analysis of the COPA” by Gregory S. Vistnes
The press release from WNC Healthcare Initiative
The WNC Community Healthcare Initiative, a local grassroots group of healthcare providers, called upon Governor Beverly Perdue and Secretary of Health & Human Services Lanier Cansler to address concerns raised by a State-commissioned study about Mission Health System’s business practices in Western North Carolina.
The hand-delivered letter stressed the State’s failure to provide proper oversight of Mission’s activities given the hospital’s immunity from state and federal anti-trust laws under the Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) agreement.
The State-initiated analysis conducted by economist Dr. Gregory S. Vistnes and funded by Mission points out numerous areas of concern regarding the hospital’s business practices—namely incentive problems that leave patients in Western North Carolina vulnerable to higher prices and fewer choices.
The letter requests that the State of North Carolina implement Dr. Vistnes’ recommendations and provide the active oversight protection mandated by the COPA.
The WNC Community Healthcare Initiative made the request to Governor Perdue out of concern that pending legislation in the North Carolina Senate could not be acted upon this year given the legislative calendar.The WNC Community Healthcare Initiative is a growing grassroots group of concerned physicians and healthcare providers from across Western North Carolina. Members include Park Ridge Health, 21st Century Oncology and Dr. Nathan Williams of Hope-Women’s Cancer Centers. You can learn more about the grassroots group by visiting: www.wncchoice.com.
For WNC CHI’s full letter, click here.
I am opposed to the merger clinic of Mission and Pardee that is being rammed through for a location in Fletcher. Why on earth with the current economic status of this area would you approve duplication of services. All of the services suggested by Mission are already available at this end of town. Gov. Perdue, please consider the overall cost to the citizens of this area before approving this unnecessary project. Our area cannot support three facilities. There is no need. The unemployment rate will rise if this merger is approved.