Analysis of Mission Hospital’s Profits Under HCA Ownership

Staff cuts at Mission Hospital in Asheville have led to a significant increase in patient-care profits since its acquisition by HCA Healthcare, according to a draft report by Mark Hall from Wake Forest University. The report compared the hospital’s profits from 2011 to 2022 and found that after the acquisition, patient-care profits nearly tripled to almost $100 million in 2022.

One of the key factors driving these profits was a reduction in patient-care staffing rates, from 6.0 full-time equivalent staff per occupied bed in 2018 to 3.7 in 2021. This was significantly lower than the average staffing rate at other hospitals in North Carolina, which stayed at 5.1 per patient. The report also highlighted how Mission Hospital raised its price markups, doubling the average annual increase to 33 percent points under HCA.

Despite complaints about increased prices and concerns about staffing levels, HCA has limited control over pricing due to government-set prices for Medicare and Medicaid patients. The report also mentioned antitrust suits against HCA in North Carolina, raising questions about the company’s profit-oriented model.

Union negotiations are currently ongoing at Mission Hospital, with National Nurses United advocating for increased staffing, retention, and other protections for nurses. The current contract expires in July, and if an agreement is not reached, a strike is a possibility. HCA has stated that they are prepared for any potential strike.

In response to the report, HCA spokesperson Nancy Lindell dismissed it as not impartial and funded by a group involved in litigation against Mission Health. However, the research team behind the report maintains that they have no connection to the litigation and that the findings are based on data from hospital reports filed with the federal government.

Overall, the report sheds light on the impact of staff cuts and price increases on patient-care profits at Mission Hospital under HCA ownership, sparking discussions about the balance between financial gains and quality patient care.