Atkinson’s actions

Contrast the resignation of the president of Japan Airlines after 505 passengers were killed in a 1985 crash, for which he had no responsibility, with Bill Atkinson, the CEO of WakeMed, who responded to the hospital’s $8 million overbilling of Medicare by wavering in accepting the charges.

The incident is especially interesting in light of the nonprofit hospital paying its employees $7.65 million in 2010 after beating annual financial goals (N&O, Nov. 10, 2010).

It certainly seems reasonable for Atkinson to start accepting responsibility by returning the 2 percent bonus on his $1.67 million compensation.

Michael Caplow

Chapel Hill