The Follow-up: WNC Hospitals Panel Discussion

This panel discussion, the first in a new series presented by Blank Space, tackles an issue continuing to frustrate people from all vantages of healthcare in and around Asheville. Our conversation will cover the persistent difficulties and potential improvements for regional hospital systems, the track record for nonprofit and for-profit health systems and the clash of public voices and public policy in healthcare. The panelists will discuss the process for granting new bed allocations, unionization and its effects and the competitive marketplace in this region.

Panelists will include NC State Senator Julie Mayfield, representatives from the National Nurses' Union from Mission Hospital, and Marc Malloy, Founder of Sevenya Healthcare. The moderator for the evening will be Matt Peiken, former Blue ridge Public Radio reporter, now the host of the daily newscast podcast "Wake Up, Asheville" and the new arts journalism magazine See Hear (seehearwnc.com).

Chemist Spirits will be on site with one cocktail included in the ticket price for those over 21 (NA option for those under 21 or who prefer it). Additional cocktails and NA beverages will be available for sale.

The quality, access and costs of healthcare affect everyone. This is a chance to understand the systems at play in more depth and ask questions of the panelists.