North Carolina health officials will host a public hearing in Asheville next month as four major hospital systems compete for approval to expand services in Buncombe County.

The state's Certificate of Need (CON) process has identified need for 129 acute-care beds. AdventHealth, Mission Hospital, Novant Health and UNC Health West Medical Center Inc. have each submitted proposals.

 ·      AdventHealth proposes adding 129 beds to the planned AdventHealth facility in Weaverville for a total of 222 acute care beds to be completed in January 2030.

·      Mission Health proposes adding 129 acute care beds in Asheville to completed in January 2031 bringing their total acute care beds in Asheville to 862.

·      Novant Health proposes developing a new hospital in Arden with 34 acute care beds to be completed in January 2030.

·      UNC Health West proposes developing a new hospital in Asheville with 129 acute care beds to be completed in July 2031.

 The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium, offering residents and employers an opportunity to weigh in on access, capacity and future service needs. Written comments are accepted through Dec. 1 via email or mail.

Source: Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce