From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Community members will have two opportunities in March “to share feedback on HCA Mission Health's performance,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Feb. 12.

“These meetings come as Mission Hospital faces renewed scrutiny after being found in “immediate jeopardy” with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the third time in two years,”  News 13 noted.

Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors Inc. announced community meetings scheduled for March 9 and March 10 with the Independent Monitor, which is responsible for evaluating HCA Healthcare's compliance with the 2019 Asset Purchase Agreement tied to its purchase of the Mission Health System.

“Community members who have had experiences at Mission Hospital or any other Mission Health facility in the past year are encouraged to attend,” Rachel Ryan, general counsel for Dogwood Health Trust, noted in a written statement. She said the meetings provide an opportunity for the IM, Dogwood, HCA and state officials to connect directly with residents.

The meetings follow recent news that Mission Hospital was once again found to be in immediate jeopardy — a designation indicating conditions that pose a risk to patient health or safety which can jeopardize a medical facility’s participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Dogwood Health Trust said part of its role is to provide oversight and monitor HCA’s compliance with the Asset Purchase Agreement, including ensuring the health system remains enrolled and in good standing with Medicare and Medicaid. Ryan said that Dogwood defines “good standing” as the ability to demonstrate compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements. Findings like “immediate jeopardy” raise concerns about potential noncompliance under the purchase agreement, Ryan added.

“Findings like immediate jeopardy are a matter of potential noncompliance under the APA sand one that Dogwood and the IM closely and carefully monitor, assess and report to the Attorney General,” Ryan said.

Mission Hospital has faced "immediate jeopardy" findings before. Ryan said past findings in 2023 and 2024 resulted in determinations of potential noncompliance under the Asset Purchase Agreement. When that occurs, Dogwood said it works with HCA and the Attorney General’s Office to pursue remedies.

Mission Hospital issued the following statement on Jan. 30, regarding its most recent "immediate jeopardy" status:

"We have submitted extensive and comprehensive plans to CMS to resolve the deficiencies that were identified. Our collaboration with CMS has provided an opportunity to strengthen our processes and further enhance patient care. We have the resources and support from our organization to make the improvements identified. We take our responsibilities to the citizens of western North Carolina seriously, and our leadership, dedicated caregivers, and physicians remain focused on providing the best possible care."

After the current “immediate jeopardy” designation, CMS is reportedly requiring HCA Healthcare to hire an independent consultant within 30 days to oversee required safety changes. 

In a memo to employees obtained by News 13, CEO Greg Lowe said Mission Hospital plans to bring in an independent consultant, “who is an expert in hospital quality, to provide guidance and oversight to our hospital leadership team.”

According to Dogwood Health Trust, the community meetings will include updates on the IM’s work during its 2024 reporting year and an overview of the process for the 2025 report. Representatives from Dogwood Health Trust, HCA Healthcare, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office are expected to attend.

Public meetings are scheduled as follows:

• March 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Transylvania County Library, Rogow Family Community Room, 212 Gaston St., Brevard.

• March 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Western Carolina University at Biltmore Park, Room 346, 28 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. (The Asheville meeting will be livestreamed, and a recording will be posted afterward.)

Attendees are being asked to register in advance at this link. Doors will open 30 minutes before each meeting. Community members may also submit questions or comments ahead of time for follow-up by the IM and participating organizations.

In addition to the forums, officials said Affiliated Monitors will conduct one-on-one and small-group meetings during a March visit, with another visit is planned for May.