Asheville: AdventHealth Announces Weaverville Hospital, Court Appeals Pending
AdventHealth plans to build a 93-bed hospital on 25 acres of land that the nonprofit health care conglomerate recently purchased in Weaverville. But whether AdventHealth will receive the certificate required to open the hospital is still in question. AdventHealth must navigate North Carolina’s Certificate of Need process to open the hospital. Health care providers in the state must apply for CONs if they want to expand their facilities, equipment, or initiate medical services. North Carolina’s certification process can take years.
Long Road Ahead for AdventHealth
AdventHealth’s two pursuits to bring 67 and 26 beds to Buncombe County are respectively at the gestation and embryonic phases. Long court battles and potential competition from neighboring providers could delay and stymie the nonprofit’s effort.
Application and Competition
AdventHealth submitted a CON application in June 2022 to open a 67-bed hospital with one C-section operating room and five procedure rooms. The nonprofit received competition from Mission Health and Novant Health, which also submitted applications for the certificate. AdventHealth eventually won the bid after gaining support from various entities.
Court Battles
NCDHHS awarded the bid to AdventHealth in November 2022. However, Mission challenged the state’s decision, leading to a court battle with the outcome expected by May 10. The case can then be appealed to higher courts, potentially prolonging the process.
Land Acquisition
AdventHealth recently bought the land for the hospital in Weaverville for $7.5 million. The nonprofit plans to build the 67-bed hospital on this site, with plans to apply for 26 additional beds in Buncombe County. The company aims to combine all 93 beds in one facility.
Implications of Announcement
AdventHealth’s announcement may have been part of an aggressive public relations effort to build community support for the CON, speculated UNC Chapel Hill Professor Richard Saver. While the outcome is uncertain, the announcement could have various effects, including potential local government preparations for the hospital opening.
Conclusion
As AdventHealth moves forward with its plans to establish a hospital in Weaverville, the road ahead remains uncertain due to ongoing court battles and the CON process. The nonprofit’s pursuit to bring advanced healthcare facilities to Buncombe County faces challenges, but the outcome could shape the healthcare landscape in Western North Carolina.
