The merger of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) with a private equity group will not affect the company's plan for Loudoun County.
Megan Descutner, director of community relations for the proposed Broadlands Regional Medical Center, said she has been told that the new owners are prepared to go "full steam ahead."
July 24, HCA merged with Bain Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity in a transaction valued at approximately $33 billion which includes the assumption or repayment of approximately $11.7 billion in debt.
For almost three years, HCA has been working to bring a 164-bed facility to Ashburn. However, the plans have been held up by lawsuits with both the county and Inova Loudoun Hospital, who believe the proposed facility is too close to their Lansdowne campus. The proposed HCA hospital is located along the west side of Belmont Ridge Road and south of the Dulles Greenway. Broadlands Regional Medical Center representatives are currently in court contesting the Board of Supervisors decision to deny their rezoning application.
Even with all the obstacles, Descutner said the new owners are on board with all upcoming projects.
"They are not looking to change anything," she said. "In fact, they are looking to expand as scheduled."
Descutner added that the merger takes HCA private, which will make moving forward even easier.
"Without quarterly deadlines it is easier to focus on the projects and the analysis," she said. "Longer range planning."