It’s been two years since HCA Healthcare purchased Mission Health. The details of the sale continue to be discussed by the independent monitor assigned to ensure the stipulations in the deal are followed.
Gibbins Advisors is the independent monitor appointed as part of the deal. Last year, it held seven introductory community meetings noted Gibbins Advisors’ Ron Winters:
“COVID hit 5 weeks later and unfortunately we weren’t able to get back out to the communities but we are very much looking forward to doing that,” said Winters.
The independent monitor held a virtual community meeting this week to give an update on its work. The monitor is tasked with making sure that HCA follows through on 15 commitments outlined in the asset purchase agreement. This includes a list of services that HCA must maintain at each hospital.
“I don’t want to sound overly narrow, but the thing that we can do something about – which is raise our hand and say that they are not in compliance – only arises when they are not providing the service,” said Winters.
Winters also wanted to make it clear that the monitor is paid by Dogwood Health Trust – the foundation created from the profits of the sale – not by HCA.
“It’s very important that the public understands that we are independent of Mission and independent of HCA,” said Winters.
Dogwood Health Trust’s Board Chair Janice Brumit also confirmed at the meeting that HCA has no oversight over the foundation. “HCA has no control over Dogwood or its assets,” Brumit shared in a statement read by Gibbins.
A number of questions were brought up about HCA’s charity care policy, service at the local hospitals and clinics closing. Winters said there weren’t any official disputes about HCA’s compliance with its promises in 2019. A year ago this month, HCA released an annual report and capital expense report which outlines how it fulfilled the asset purchase agreement.
The next annual report from HCA will be available in May at the latest.
Clarification: The independent monitor, Gibbins Advisors, was approved by the North Carolina Attorney General not appointed by the AG.
