(The Center Square) – Commissioners in Wake County have paused, for at least 90 days, any action toward approval of Atrium Health’s takeover of WakeMed.
In a surprise move, the commissioners on Friday had placed within Monday’s consent agenda an item for WakeMed’s articles of incorporation and a transfer agreement – the first public knowledge of the pact. Unanimously, all seven Democrats walked back their secretive action with the board chairman even saying “community engagement is important” and “we want to be fully open and transparent.”
State leaders felt they were anything but with their agenda strategy.
If the seven believe it was not controversial, as Friday’s agenda suggests, they would also be out of step with the North Carolina Democratic Party. It used the stalled merger opportunity to attack a U.S. Senate candidate for not opposing it, saying it showed the Republican candidate would “not stand up for North Carolina families.”
“The Wake County Board of Commissioners made the right call in delaying the vote on the WakeMed and Atrium Health deal,” first-term Republican state Auditor Dave Boliek said late Monday. “There are several concerns that need to be addressed, and the people of Wake County and North Carolina deserve time to learn about and discuss the proposed transaction. A structural shift of this scale must be met with full transparency.
“State Treasurer Brad Briner, state Representatives Mike Schietzelt and Erin Pare, and Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell brought much-needed awareness to this issue, and I thank the Wake County commissioners for acting appropriately at this time.”
Consent agendas are common in North Carolina county commissions. As explained in Robert’s Rules of Order, a leading parliamentary procedure guidebook, “The consent agenda is usually put near the start of the meeting. It is actually part of the regular agenda and can be made up of any number of items, but any item placed on the consent agenda should be so uncontroversial that it can be reasonably expected that it will be adopted with no debate or separate vote.”
In North Carolina, many commissions follow the 4th edition publishing from the UNC School of Government known as “Suggested Rules of Procedure for the Board of County Commissioners.” It says in part, “Consent agendas – consent calendars, Robert’s Rules call them – are useful for disposing of routine and noncontroversial items of business.” It also notes items that may need to adhere to required majority levels, or public hearings, and thus should not be included.
Any member’s objection, it says, deems the item “no longer routine or noncontroversial.”
Chairman Don Mial, Vice Chairwoman Safiyah Jackson, and members Cheryl Stallings, Susan Evans, Tara Waters, Shinica Thomas and Vickie Adamson instead removed it from the list, saying no action would be allowed for at least 90 days.
“Community engagement is an important part of the work we do,” Mial said. “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 public feedback.”
The 180-degree pivot from Friday’s agenda posting got a clever description from Boliek.
“I got to be blunt with you,” he said. “I think the county commission in the past has spent more time approving driveways than they have potentially approving a multi-billion dollar deal, which is ultimately what this will be.”
Briner explained the state’s highest executive offices intervened because the State Health Plan includes coverage of Wake County’s teachers and various other public sector employees.
“This is going to be a price increase for all of them for their health insurance,” he said.
Donald Gintzig, president and CEO of WakeMed, said the deal is “a significant next step” in the 65 years of service to the county.
“WakeMed and Atrium Health are united in a shared commitment to serving our communities, and by building upon our complementary strengths, we can have an even greater impact on the health and well-being of Wake County and the entire state,” he said in a statement.
Eugene Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, framed the pact as one of the largest commitments the region has ever seen. He said care would be more affordable.
“This combination is about meeting people where they are – with care that fits their lives and stays rooted in the community,” Woods said. “It starts with a $2 billion investment in Wake County – one of the largest health care commitments this region has ever seen – but the impact goes far beyond dollars. It means nationally recognized specialty care closer to home, more convenient and affordable care, including virtual visits, stronger mental health support, and 3,300 new health care jobs to help this community continue to thrive.
“We’re honored to welcome WakeMed into the Atrium Health family, and we’re excited about what we’ll build together – for our neighbors, our patients, and our teammates – for many generations to come.”
Seats for Mial, Jackson, Stallings (unopposed) and Adamson (unopposed) are on the ballot in November. The board expands to nine members with this election, and two at-large slots are also on the ballot chased by two Democrats and two Republicans. Evans, Waters and Thomas were 2024 election winners.
