How much say will the public have in WakeMed and Atrium merger? What comes next.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- WakeMed will host five in-person and one virtual public forums about its Atrium merger.
- Wake County commissioners delayed vote by 90 days after outcry over public engagement.
- Merger requires county amendments and likely review by the N.C. attorney general and FTC.
WakeMed will hold a series of forums where the public can “listen, learn and discuss” its planned merger with Charlotte-based Atrium Health.
The five meetings will take place at community centers and WakeMed hospitals on May 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28. WakeMed also plans to hold a virtual forum and has created a webpage where people can share their thoughts online.
The in-person meetings begin at 6 p.m.:
- May 19, The Andrews Center, 3024 New Bern Ave. on the WakeMed Raleigh Campus.
- May 21, Tarboro Road Community Center, 121 Tarboro St., Raleigh.
- May 26, WakeMed North Hospital, 10000 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
- May 27, WakeMed Cary Hospital, 1900 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary
- May 28, Chavis Heights Community Center, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh
The nonprofit health systems announced their plans to merge late on a Friday afternoon and expected Wake County commissioners to bless the union three days later. Instead, after outcry over the lack of public scrutiny, commissioners delayed their decision by 90 days.
Wake County officials must approve changes to the documents that allowed the county-owned Wake Medical Center to become a private nonprofit in 1997. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission, along with the N.C. attorney general’s office, must agree the merger doesn’t violate state and federal antitrust laws that protect consumers from unfair business practices.
Critics, including State Treasurer Brad Briner, say hospital consolidation across the country has often led to higher prices and lower quality of services. Others, including State Auditor Dave Boliek, say even if the combination ultimately makes sense, the rush to bring it to Wake County commissioners raised suspicions.
“It’s time to hit pause, pull back the curtain, and explain exactly what is being voted on,” Boliek wrote to commissioners. “A delayed vote will provide a much-needed pause so the people of Wake County can be properly informed and have the opportunity to submit their thoughts on the matter.”
Each forum will begin with a presentation from WakeMed president Donald Gintzig or another health system leader, followed by a chance for the public to ask questions.
County commissioners have not scheduled any public meetings about WakeMed but will be paying attention to the hospital forums, spokeswoman Dara Demi wrote in an email.
“Over the next 90 days, the board looks forward to participating in the community engagement sessions that WakeMed and Atrium Health will host to learn more about the strategic combination and to listen to public feedback,” Demi wrote.
WakeMed is asking county commissioners to amend two documents: the agreement that transferred ownership of the hospital from the county to the nonprofit corporation and the “articles of incorporation” for the nonprofit. Board chair Don Mial indicated that the 90-day pause would give the hospitals time to consider changes to those documents.
“While the joining of these hospitals may be positive for Wake County, we want to be fully open and transparent about the process. And that includes allowing ample time for the public feedback,” Mial said. “The board hope is that WakeMed and Atrium Health will listen to the community’s insights, answer their questions and make changes as needed to answer their concerns.”
Nature of ‘regulatory review’ remains unclear
WakeMed and Atrium have said that the county must sign off on changes to the transfer agreement and articles of incorporation before they can seek regulatory review of the merger.
The two companies have not disclosed what that review will entail, but it will likely include State Attorney General Jeff Jackson. Under state law, his office doesn’t approve or reject the merger, but it can file a lawsuit seeking to block it or impose conditions.
The attorney general’s authority depends on the nature of the deal, according to spokeswoman Bailey Aldridge.
“Atrium and WakeMed have not yet submitted to us information about the details of this proposed transaction, and without those details we do not yet know the scope our review authority,” Aldridge wrote in an email. She added: “Our focus is on ensuring patients can continue to get high-quality healthcare they can afford, no matter where in the state they seek care.”
The Federal Trade Commission will also review the merger and can move to block or change deals it thinks will reduce competition in ways that hurt patients and employees.
In 2024, the agency sued to block Charlotte-based Novant Health’s attempt to buy Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville, saying it would lead to “higher out-of-pocket costs for critical health care services.” Novant abandoned its bid, and later that year Lake Normal Regional Medical Center was acquired by Durham-based Duke Health.
How the merger talks got started
Donald Gintzig has led WakeMed since 2013 and says he has been approached by companies about a sale or merger every year since.
Gintzig says the proposed tie-up with Atrium Health grew out of WakeMed’s effort to win regulatory approval for a linear accelerator to provide radiation cancer treatments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WakeMed sought a partner to help with the process, and only Atrium responded, Gintzig said.
“Then the discussion was, ‘You know, you sound a lot like us. We sound a lot like you. What could something bigger look like?’” he said. “And that’s really how it started.”
Over two years, Gintzig says, WakeMed went through a “diligent and deliberate process” of reviewing the combination. He said it hired consultants from national organizations to analyze possible partners both within and outside North Carolina.
WakeMed says it is financially sound now but needs to join a larger company to grow and update its hospitals and other facilities in the coming years. Atrium Health and its parent company, Advocate Health, will invest $2 billion in WakeMed, allowing it to update its main campus in Raleigh and expand hospitals in Cary and North Raleigh.
“The reality is as we look five, 10 and 25 years ahead, we know that WakeMed cannot continue to provide the healthcare that this county needs without a strong, strategic partner,” Gintzig told county commissioners. “We will not have access to the capital that we need to meet the needs of one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.”
WakeMed said its 14-member board of directors unanimously approved the merger last month, as did the board for Atrium’s parent company, Advocate Health.
