This story was originally published in the Asheville Watchdog.
As Mission Hospital faces critical deadlines to address care deficiencies, questions arise about HCA Healthcare CEO Sam Hazen’s engagement with local leaders. During an April shareholder meeting, Hazen claimed frequent visits to Asheville and interaction with community stakeholders, yet numerous elected officials report they’ve never met him.
Hazen stated, “In my normal travels, I go to Asheville, North Carolina frequently. I have visited with community leaders and key stakeholders and our people at our hospitals numerous times.” However, 14 elected representatives from various governmental levels indicated to Asheville Watchdog that they have not had discussions with him.
Buncombe County Commissioner Drew Ball mentioned, “My phone number is on the county website and my campaign website, but I haven’t heard from him yet.” Despite requests, HCA and Mission Hospital did not provide details about Hazen’s meetings in the area.
Following Hazen’s remarks, both the Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners passed resolutions urging him to engage with local officials, healthcare advocates, and community figures in western North Carolina.
State Representative Julie Mayfield, who suggested a shareholder proposal for HCA to study the “healthcare consequences” of its management of Mission, noted she hasn’t met Hazen. Despite her efforts, the proposal was rejected in a shareholder vote.
Local government officials, including Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, confirmed they have met Mission’s CEO but not Hazen. Several council members and commissioners echoed this lack of interaction.
According to Amanda Edwards, chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, the call for Hazen to visit indicates the pressing need for dialogue. She expressed her desire to hear Hazen’s plans for HCA in the region and to ensure that community concerns are being addressed.
Among those yet to meet Hazen are council members Sage Turner, Shaneika Smith, Bo Hess, and Maggie Ullman. Hess mentioned he is open to meeting to improve local healthcare outcomes.
Commissioners Jennifer Horton and Parker Sloan also voiced their willingness to discuss healthcare issues with Hazen. Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof recounted a brief encounter with Hazen in 2022, noting it was an unusual occurrence.
Since HCA acquired Mission Health in 2019, the hospital has faced four Immediate Jeopardy sanctions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, highlighting critical failures in care that endangered patients. Despite corrective actions, Mission must comply with federal standards by late July to avoid losing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.
In the financial sphere, Hazen received compensation totaling $26,456,606 in 2025, largely from stock performance incentives. This financial backdrop contrasts sharply with the healthcare challenges facing Mission Hospital.
For more information, visit Asheville Watchdog.
