ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mission Health has announced a commitment of $1 million to establish a charity fund aimed at assisting with health care costs, following a settlement related to an antitrust lawsuit brought by several municipalities and counties in Western North Carolina.

This settlement, revealed this week, concludes the case known as In re Mission Health Antitrust Litigation, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

The newly created charity fund will offer support to individuals and families with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. As part of the agreement, Mission Health will also continue operations at Transylvania Regional Hospital for a minimum of three more years, engage in discussions to secure space for adult day care services in Brevard and pursue quality verification for Mission Hospital as a trauma center.

The settlement also enables the municipalities and counties involved in the lawsuit to gain increased access to information regarding Mission Health’s advisory boards.

Local leaders expressed their appreciation for resolving the matter in a way that they believe will ultimately benefit residents in Western North Carolina. They also commended the efforts of Mission Health and HCA Healthcare staff during and following Tropical Storm Helene.

While Mission Health and HCA have denied any wrongdoing, asserting that their business practices adhere to federal and state antitrust laws and do not include the contested contract provisions, they view this resolution favorably.

“Mission Health and HCA are pleased that the resolution of this action allows them to continue to show their commitment to Western North Carolina through the establishment of a new charity fund,” a company statement said. “Mission Health and HCA are glad to have this litigation resolved so that they can continue focusing on what we all agree matters most: providing quality healthcare to the residents of Western North Carolina.”