HCA Healthcare was recently hit with its second antitrust lawsuit — this time from the city of Brevard, North Carolina, for allegedly engaging in anti competitive schemes.
Nashville-based HCA Healthcare comprises 182 hospitals and more than 2,300 sites of care in 20 states and the U.K. The company, which is for-profit, was hit with a similar lawsuit in August 2021 gilded by community members, according to Citizen-Times, which also broke the story about the latest lawsuit.
The new suit alleges the healthcare provider has monopoly power in the region, leaving the future of healthcare competition in Western North Carolina “at risk.”
The lawsuits come after HCA Healthcare acquired Mission Hospital system in 2019, which gave the healthcare provider a share of at least 70% of market share in seven counties, including Yancey (90.9%), Madison (90%), Buncombe (86.6%), Mitchell (85.4%), Transylvania (78.7%), McDowell (76.4%) and Macon (74.7%), the Citizen-Times reported. The city of Brevard alleges the monopoly has allowed HCA to engage in predatory tactics impeding competition between healthcare providers.
As a result, Brevard claims its citizens, as well as residents in Western North Carolina have paid inflated prices for lower-quality care.
The lawsuit alleges HCA’s actions have harmed the city of Brevard “by making charges to charity care, performing and billing for unnecessary procedures, causing the loss of physicians and providers from the HCA system and reducing the availability of appointments for healthcare services,” according to a statement from the city.
The suit also seeks an injunction that would prohibit HCA from making other monopolizing actions, as well as monetary relief to compensate Brevard and other healthcare plans that have overpaid for healthcare for its employees and families.
“Our lawsuit is being brought at a time when providing affordable health care insurance plans for working families and governmental employees, such as firefighters, police and teachers, and controlling health care costs have been top priorities for the city of Brevard and members of the class, and the business communities they serve,” Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof said in the statement.
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Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."