HCA Healthcare Faces Mission Hospital Criticism

0:00It's April 24. This is Durham News Today, powered by AI. HCA health care shareholders just turned down a proposal from North Carolina Senator Julie Mayfield at their annual meeting this Thursday. The idea pushed for a report on how the company's hospital biodes over the last decade, like Mission Hospital and Asheville, have hurt local. Communities with things like Dr. Losses and lower patient satisfaction. Staffing has faced tough times since HCA snapped it up in 2018. Staffing per bed dropped from six full-timers to 3.7 by 2021, way below the state average of 5.1, that's led to nurse and physician shortages, more travel staff, and ongoing battles with federal safety rules. Mayfield, whose district covers mission, framed it as a big financial risk for investors with lawsuits, bad press, and growth blocks in the area. HCA's board pushed back hard, calling the report too broad and costly, while defending missions 11 straight health grades top 50 awards.

1:01But other Raiders like U.S. News gave it just one star for patient experience. CEO Sam Hason fielded questions on mission, calling it a great hospital with a key role in Western North Carolina, but admitting they got more work. Ahead, he says he visits Asheville often to me leaders, though Mayfield doubts he's linked up with locals layling, including her group pushing for fixes. This spotlight keeps the pressure on HCA to tackle those community hits, potentially sharpening their game for better care, and steadier profits down. The line.