Wake County Leaders Advise Delay on Major Health Merger Proposal
State officials are calling on the Wake County Board of Commissioners to take a step back before deciding on a recent plan to merge WakeMed Health & Hospitals with Atrium Health, based in Charlotte.
Originally, the board was set to discuss the merger proposal at their meeting scheduled for Monday evening. However, following concerns from a state lawmaker and the state treasurer, the vote has been pushed back, according to updates shared on Sunday.
State Representative Mike Schietzelt, a Republican from northeast Wake County, emphasized the need for a careful and open discussion regarding the merger. He shared his thoughts on social media, stating, “I learned this morning that a Wake County Commissioner plans to delay the vote. This is the right decision, as this merger could greatly affect the cost and quality of care in Wake County.”
North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner also expressed his worries about the merger, saying he was relieved that the board has decided to delay the vote after he raised his concerns.
Despite these calls for delay, a spokesperson for the county indicated that there has not been any formal change to Monday’s agenda.
“The Wake County Board of Commissioners has not taken any formal action on the items for the May 4 meeting since the agenda was posted on Friday,” said Dara Demi.
On Friday, Atrium Health announced the proposed merger, suggesting that it would involve significant expansion, including the addition of hospitals and numerous jobs, and an enhanced focus on virtual and mental healthcare. They noted a planned $2 billion investment to upgrade WakeMed’s main campus in Raleigh and to improve services across several facilities.
Treasurer Briner warned that mergers like this could reduce competition, ultimately harming consumers.
Additionally, North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek urged the board to postpone the vote, allowing more time for the community and stakeholders to express their views. “This decision will have far-reaching effects on healthcare throughout North Carolina. With the announcement just made on Friday, residents should have more than just a weekend to respond,” he said in a letter to the board.
WakeMed is the largest healthcare system in the county, with three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, and a mental health facility totaling over 970 beds across its network. Notably, about half of WakeMed’s funding comes from Medicaid, Medicare, and the State Health Plan.
Atrium Health is recognized as North Carolina’s largest medical provider and part of Advocate Health, a leading nonprofit academic health system with ties to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The integration aims to improve access to specialized care and bolster mental health services, focusing on community-based support, according to Advocate Health’s CEO Eugene Woods.
He stated, “This begins with a $2 billion commitment to Wake County—one of the largest healthcare investments in our region—but its influence will extend well beyond financial contributions.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
