New PVHS hospital draws criticism

LOVELAND — Poudre Valley Health System’s plan to build a $200 million hospital in Loveland is stirring debates over the need, location, motivation and impact the new facility will have on health care in the region.

Administrators for the Fort Collins-based hospital say the new facility is necessary to accommodate regional needs.

But officials for Phoenix-based Banner Health System — which owns Loveland’s McKee Medical Center and operates Greeley’s North Colorado Medical Center — say it’s a competitive move that will duplicate services and drive up health-care costs across Northern Colorado.

Both groups say the other refuses to discuss collaborative efforts.

“Their move…