State Health Care Authority approves CON
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Hospitals (WVUH) can move forward with its plans to purchase the Fairmont Regional Cancer Center (FRCC). The West Virginia Health Care Authority (HCA) issued two rulings late last week, allowing the acquisition to proceed, despite objections raised by Monongalia General Hospital.On Thursday, April 25, the HCA approved the WVUH motion to dismiss Mon General’s request for a hearing, stating in its ruling that the community hospital did not meet the criteria for affected party status. On Friday, April 26, the HCA approved WVU Hospitals’ Certificate of Need (CON) to acquire the FRCC.
“We are pleased with the Health Care Authority’s rulings and are looking forward to offering our advanced radiation therapy services in Marion County,” Bruce McClymonds, president and CEO of WVU Hospitals, said. “We believe this is a good investment in the community, in keeping with our mission and responsibility as the state’s premier academic medical center.”
The HCA cited six conclusions of law in issuing its decision to approve the CON, including the facts that there are no superior alternatives to the project and that patients would experience serious problems obtaining radiation therapy if the project wasn’t approved.
“I hope now that the HCA has denied Mon General’s requests to block this project that we can all move forward and work together, without the annoyance and expense of more legal maneuvers on this and other matters,” McClymonds said. “We have a responsibility to improve patient care in this community, address the issues of access and overcrowding and provide the best medical care available – and that’s what we’re intent on doing.”
The acquisition of the FRCC from current owner Dr. Kirti Jain is projected to cost $14 million.