WakeMed will hold the first of three remaining listening sessions on Tuesday over a deal that would see the healthcare provider partner with Charlotte's Atrium Health.
At a public forum last Tuesday, WakeMed leaders tried to reassure the community over a multi-billion dollar deal that’s drawn bipartisan criticism.
Other WRAL Top Stories
The forum, hosted at WakeMed’s Raleigh campus, drew about two dozen community members for an hour of discussion and questions, including what impact the deal could have on health plans, and whether WakeMed - a non-profit - could see a for-profit arm established in the future.
WakeMed’s CEO, Donald Gintzig, tried to reassure the crowd, arguing Atrium will bring more jobs and opportunities, including clinical trials, while delivering the same level of care.
“If anything, we’re going to be able to add more care, more services, better care, better technology, better facilities, and affordability for all in this community,” said Gintzig.
Some state leaders - both Democrats and Republicans - have raised concerns about the deal, in particular what the partnership could mean for prices.
"I understand that WakeMed is putting the best spin on this as possible, but there's real questions about affordability to commercial payers that they haven't even begun to answer. So hopefully they'll be able to answer those in these forums," said North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner.
Three more forums are planned across Wake County and online:
►Related: Atrium to take control of WakeMed in deal that could bring $2B investment to Wake
- Tuesday, May 26: North Hospital - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 27: Cary Hospital - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday, May 28: John Chavis Memorial Park Community Center - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Atrium Health’s proposal became public earlier this month. A key vote by the Wake County Board of Commissioners was delayed for 90 days, in part due to the outpouring of criticism.
State Auditor Dave Boliek publicly called for the delay, writing a statement that read in part:
"The rollout of the proposed hospital takeover raises questions. The lack of transparency does not instill confidence; in fact, it calls for greater scrutiny and explanation. In the interest of the people of Wake County and all of the citizens in North Carolina, the vote to approve WakeMed’s amended articles of incorporation, currently scheduled for May 4, 2026, should be delayed, and I applaud any decision to delay this vote.”
When asked about the criticism, Gintzig said he believes state leaders need to take a closer look at what the deal could mean.
"I think many spoke before they knew," Gintzig said. "I know no one that's spoken who knows all the details about it."
WakeMed is one of the smallest hospital networks in the state. By partnering with Atrium, WakeMed could gain easier access to clinical trials and capital, which could accelerate its expansion plans throughout the county as it seeks to compete with other providers such as UNC Health and Duke Health. It would also enable Atrium to expand its reach across the state, into the fast-growing Triangle market. Atrium promises the deal will create thousands of jobs.
The companies said the deal would improve the quality of healthcare, attract and develop medical talent and accelerate research and innovation, laying the foundation for more clinical specialties and subspecialties.
“The impact goes far beyond dollars,” Eugene A. Woods, chief executive of Advocate Health, said in a statement. “It means nationally recognized specialty care closer to home, more convenient and affordable care, including virtual visits, stronger mental health support, and 3,300 new health care jobs to help this community continue to thrive.”