Health care groups compete for 92 acute care beds in western North Carolina
Wed, August 19, 2026 at 11:03 AM
UpdatedWed, August 19, 2026 at 6:59 PM
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AUG. 19, 2026 – People are seated in the Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech to hear four health care groups compete for a license for 92 hospital beds. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —Nearly 200 people are seated in the Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech to hear four health care groups compete for a license for 92 hospital beds
This is based on the state’s latest certificate of need, which has determined a need for more acute care beds in western North Carolina
Mission HCA, AdventHealth, Novant Health and UNC Health are each pitching plans to build brand new hospitals or expand already state approved hospital capacity
Mission says demand is already pushing its facilities to the limit
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Some staff members from Mission Hospital spoke about the hospital’s critical importance, particularly for high-acuity patients. Mission staff said due to patient volume and need, hospital administrators at times have to halt patient transfer admissions because all beds are full
“We are running out of physical space to create more,” said Melina Arrowood, Mission’s chief operating officer
She said medical-surgical and step-down beds “have been averaging 90% occupancy.”
Novant Health wants to expand its already-approved hospital project in Arden to more than 50 beds
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The system is proposing “a 24-hour emergency department, inpatient medical and surgical services, intensive care, and expanded clinical support services,” said Andrea Flynn, system vice president of the Novant Cancer Institute
UNC Health is proposing a new 92-bed hospital at the Westgate shopping center site its purchased
Jeff Lindsay, UNC Health’s chief operating officer, said, “UNC Health is the only applicant who operates exclusively in North Carolina. We don’t answer to out-of-state corporate offices or shifting regional priorities.”
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer spoke at the hearing endorsing one applicant
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“Today I’m here in support of UNC Health for the 92-bed application,” Manheimer said
She noted that UNC “has taken a bold step” by purchasing the former Westgate site. Manheimer said in past hearings she’s supported any group but Mission Health
AdventHealth wants additional beds for its hospital project in Weaverville, which is already under construction
“We have more than 100 community leaders that have given letters of support,” said AdventHealth CEO Daniel Tryon
He said supporters had been waiting for hours to speak and that AdventHealth believes it can provide “an additional level of competition and choice to the community.”
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The public hearing drew passionate support for several speakers for proposals for Advent and UNC Health with some receiving rounds of applause depending on which hospital group they supported. Residents also spoke about the need for more competition in the healthcare market
“I think it’s important we as the public speak about what is going on with healthcare in this county,” said Weaverville resident Peter Adams
West Asheville resident Anne Cortes said, “I believe we need competition in this community, and I don’t want HCA to get another bed.”
The decision now rests with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Certificate of Need administrators who will review the applications from each and make an aware of the beds by fall
