Application Review Process

Background

Chapter 741 (2015 Acts of Assembly) amended the Code of Virginia in order to address southwest Virginia's unique health care challenges. Code of Virginia § 15.2-5384.1 authorizes the State Health Commissioner (Commissioner) to approve or deny an application for a cooperative agreement following receipt of a recommendation of approval from the Southwest Virginia Health Authority (Authority).  If approved, the cooperative agreement would authorize two or more hospitals from southwest Virginia to merge in order to:

  • Improve quality of health care;
  • Expand access to health care in rural areas of the Commonwealth; and
  • Preserve smaller hospitals.

The approved cooperative agreement would immunize the merged entities from challenge or scrutiny under state and federal anti-trust laws. This page outlines the process utilized in the review and approval of the Ballad Health Cooperative Agreement.