Overview
- County commissioners halted action for at least 90 days and pulled the item from a consent agenda after public criticism over a rushed process.
- The board must approve legal changes tied to WakeMed’s structure even though it cannot stop the affiliation itself.
- State leaders called for attorney general and Federal Trade Commission review, and the state treasurer warned of higher costs for the State Health Plan that covers teachers and other public workers.
- Atrium and WakeMed promote a $2 billion investment and 3,300 new health care jobs, with plans to expand virtual visits and access to specialty care in Wake County.
- The plan would make Atrium the sole corporate member and set a 14-seat board with eight county appointees and six from Atrium, and WakeMed says financial assistance would extend to patients up to 400% of the federal poverty level.