 Health Care Market Oversight
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Application to Modify Order
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) completed a preliminary review of Adventist Health System’s acquisition of the Mid-Columbia Medical Center (MCMC) on April 13, 2023 and approved the transaction with conditions. The report and order are posted on the Health Care Market Oversight (HCMO) program website. MCMC is now known as Adventist Health Columbia Gorge (AHCG).
Under Condition 2.h of OHA’s order, AHCG must obtain HCMO’s prior approval to “significantly reduce, restrict, or terminate the facilities, services, or programs” referenced in the order. On September 16, 2025, HCMO accepted an application from AHCG requesting approval of AHCG’s plans to seek federal certification as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and corresponding modification of OHA’s order. The application and supporting documents have been posted to HCMO’s website. The application describes plans for AHCG to reduce its licensed inpatient beds from 49 to 25 to meet federal requirements for a CAH. AHCG further intends to designate the 25 beds as “swing beds,” which can be used for either acute care or skilled nursing facility care as needed.
HCMO will complete a review of the application, decide whether to approve AHCG’s plans, and if approved, issue a modified order. Should the application be approved and the order modified, AHCG must obtain a new license from OHA’s Health Facility Licensing & Certification (HFLC) program and undergo an on-site survey to determine if the hospital meets federal CAH requirements. After the survey, HFLC will issue a recommendation to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a final decision on whether AHCG should be granted CAH status.
HCMO is seeking public input about this application. To submit a public comment, email hcmo.info@oha.oregon.gov, leave a voicemail at 503-945-6161 or fill out the public comment form. Please mention “Adventist” in your comment. Public comments will be posted to HCMO’s website.
About HCMO
Launched in 2022, the Health Care Market Oversight program reviews heath care business deals to make sure they support Oregon’s goals of health equity, lower costs, increased access, and better care. For more information, visit OHA's website or email hcmo.info@oha.oregon.gov.
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