Virginia will likely gain a seat on the board of a proposed merged health system, based on recommendations approved Thursday.
The Southwest Virginia Health Authority board voted unanimously to recommend that Virginia Commissioner of Health Marissa Levine approve the proposed merger of Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System — including a series of changes imposed by Tennessee regulators. One would require that three Virginia residents serve on the 11-member board of directors.
Tennessee’s Department of Health commissioner and attorney general approved the merger plan Sept. 19, through that state’s first Certificate of Public Advantage. The Virginia deadline is Oct. 30.
The applicants originally proposed a 16-member board with two Virginia members, but Tennessee officials decreed that the board should be 11 members and recommended three seats for Virginia. A compromise to start with three Virginians then reduce the number to two was rejected. Board members of nonprofit hospitals are responsible to the system and don’t represent a geographic area, organization or other interest.
