Mebane Hospital Faces New Competition: Duke Health and Novant Health Team Up to Challenge Cone Health

Cone Health is gearing up for a significant challenge in Alamance County, where they plan to build a $250 million hospital in Mebane. However, they now face competition from a joint proposal by Duke Health and Novant Health for a $225 million hospital in the same area.

Both hospitals will have around 46 beds. In North Carolina, healthcare providers must seek approval from the Department of Health and Human Services before launching new health services. This means state regulators will evaluate these proposals against each other.

In March, Duke Health and Novant Health announced their collaboration to enhance health services across the state but didn’t reveal specific projects or funding details at that time. Their planned hospital marks the first significant development under this partnership, which combines the strengths of North Carolina’s second-largest hospital operator, Novant, and its third-largest, Duke Health.

Novant reported about $10 billion in revenue last year, while Duke Health had revenue of $6.8 billion in fiscal 2024. This collaboration symbolizes a significant shift in the healthcare landscape—bringing together resources and expertise to serve community needs better. Meanwhile, Cone Health, which posted $3.14 billion in revenue for 2024 and employs over 13,000 people, has made its own structural changes by aligning with Washington, D.C.-based Risant Health, which plans to invest up to $1.7 billion in Cone’s operations.

As the competition heats up, the Certificate of Need process typically spans 90 to 150 days, during which the state will determine the best path forward for healthcare services in the growing community of Mebane.

The healthcare rivalry in Mebane reflects broader trends in the industry, highlighting the increasing importance of partnerships for modern healthcare delivery. Keeping track of these developments will be crucial for residents and stakeholders as they navigate their options in the emerging landscape. For further insights into the implications of healthcare partnerships, you might find this article from Kaiser Health News useful.

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