How do you feel about the "sale" of Rex? (Charlotte: appointed, chapel)

[smallone0320]

Visit this website and give the board your opinion.



UNC Health Care System Board of Directors Special Committee Contact Form —

[MarkCanWrite]

Did that already. I think it's a travesty, and will result in the lowering of healthcare standards across the Triangle. What's more, it's totally unnecessary. WakeMed needs to get over its selfish little empire-building complex and think about what's best for the people who live here. Oh, that's right - it's a corporation. Never mind.

[BadgerNCarolina]

Originally Posted by markcanwrite

did that already. I think it's a travesty, and will result in the lowering of healthcare standards across the triangle. What's more, it's totally unnecessary. Wakemed needs to get over its selfish little empire-building complex and think about what's best for the people who live here. Oh, that's right - it's a corporation. Never mind.

corporation = bad, evil, soul-stealing Moderator cut: language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ApexWolfpacker]

I don't see how they can possibly save enough money to make paying $750 MILLION DOLLARS financially justifiable

if they have that much money laying around they should build another hospital somewhere that needs it, like Holly Springs/Fuquay. they get monopoly power. this isn't why

[CHTransplant]

This isn't about the hospital. It's about the ecosystem of medical practices that feed into the hospital.

[wizard-xyzzy]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

It's about the ecosystem of medical practices that feed into the hospital.

I suspect ego by the WakeMed CEO and Board is a factor too.

[RaleighLass]

There's way more to it than meets the eye. I think CHTransplant might have an inkling Rex/UNC has been using some not so nice tactics in the Primary Care arena in the triangle. WakeMed, late in the game, has been on the receiving end more recently - search for old articles in the N&O about luring away staff. Other similar facilities have been affected but have not been vocal about it. I do think WakeMed has played a game of blindman's bluff. And yes, there is posturing going on. They have certainly gotten their money's worth out of their PR folks

[MrBojangles]

There is a lot going on behind the scenes. Always more than what meets the eye.......

[ApexWolfpacker]

what meets my eye is that this is not even remotely close to the best way to use $750 Million Dollars gained through state awarded monopoly power

a hospital compnay from Charlotte wants to build a hospital on Hwy 55 in Holly Springs and the state won't allow them to invest their own money, in large part because the local hospitals challenged them

but the state doesn't have any objections to Wake Med spending 10x as much to build absolutelty no new health care facilities?

makes no sense

[HerewecomeNC]

This was sent out to all employees of WakeMed today. I thought it was interesting.

Employees-

Yesterday, a committee appointed by the UNC Board of Governors met to further discuss WakeMed’s offer to purchase Rex Healthcare from UNC Health Care. We wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the top three reasons why we believe the sale of Rex to WakeMed would be positive for our community as outlined below. The committee established a web site to gauge public opinion, and it is important that your voice is heard. We need your help, so please share your feedback with the committee by clicking here.

1. Keep Resources Local
WakeMed is the only hospital system in the Triangle based in Wake County. By keeping healthcare resources local, we can better address needs right here in our community. Today, the majority of the profits generated by Rex are not being reinvested in our community. Instead, our state’s hospital system is funneling Rex’ profits to Chapel Hill, inequitably subsidizing the mission of providing health care to North Carolina’s citizens. This is happening when there are unmet healthcare needs right here in Wake County.

2. Reduce Duplication of Services
In today’s healthcare environment, it is critically important that we use our community’s limited resources as wisely as possible. Therefore, we have to be careful not to duplicate services that already exist. An example of this duplication is Rex’ proposal to build a multi-million dollar cardiovascular-focused patient tower on its main campus. This service is already provided by WakeMed and, if approved, the cardiovascular-tower would be the fourth heart center in the Triangle and the second in Wake County. A combined WakeMed-Rex system would enable us to add resources that the community needs and not spend millions of dollars to simply duplicate services. Wouldn't it be better if those resources were dedicated to new locations and services in our community to enhance access and care?

3. Better Address Societal Healthcare Issues Facing our Community.
A combined system will help us address complex issues related to inmate care, mental health and care for the uninsured and low-income residents in our community. Today, WakeMed provides more than 80 percent of the charity care in Wake County. UNC Health Care’s Chapel Hill hospital looks and acts like a state-owned, publicly supported hospital should. Rex Healthcare in Wake County does not. It is time for Rex Healthcare to step up and provide its fair share of indigent, mental health and prisoner care because citizens of Wake County and the state should expect and deserve this from its state-owned hospitals. Additionally, a state-owned hospital should not be using state resources to unfairly compete with private, not-for-profits who give so much back to the communities they serve.

The committee that met yesterday is performing its “fiduciary responsibility” to review WakeMed’s offer, but it should be far more than that. We made a fair and serious offer in the best interest of the patients both hospitals serve and sincerely hope our offer is given fair and just consideration.

Thank you for your support and continued commitment to WakeMed.

Regards,

Coleen H. Smith
Supervisor, Public Relations
WakeMed Health & Hospitals