Wake County leaders gave the go-ahead Monday for a controversial combination between Raleigh-based WakeMed and Atrium Health, the state’s largest hospital system, which is based in Charlotte.
In spite of significant public opposition to the deal, which critics fear will increase prices for patients and decrease quality of care, county commissioners voted 5-2 to relinquish control over WakeMed and give it to Atrium. In return, Atrium pledged $2 billion of its own money in investments to WakeMed’s facilities and $150 million for a new county-run public health initiative.
“On any given day, emergency rooms are full and there’s a shortage of hospital beds,” Don Mial, chair of the county board of commissioners, said before casting his vote in favor of the deal…