WakeMed and Atrium Meet Demands To Cap Prices, Increase Charity Care, and Fully Invest $2B New Dollars Into Hospital Improvements

Governor Stein released the following statement in response to the proposed merger between Atrium and Wake Med, following updates to the terms of the deal:

"The proposed transaction between Atrium and WakeMed has improved substantially in recent days. Health care costs are too high, so I asked Atrium to cap price increases at WakeMed to not more than 1.5 times the annual increase in Medicare costs for the next five years. I am pleased that Atrium has agreed to my request. We need broader health care reform to address rising costs, and I am committed to partnering with the General Assembly to make health care cost less for North Carolinians.

"Additionally, I am pleased that Atrium responded to my concerns about the source of funds for the $2 billion investment in WakeMed capital projects by agreeing that Atrium will fully fund that investment. I also appreciate Atrium's new commitments to increase WakeMed's annual amount of minimum indigent care from 4.8 percent to 8 percent of total adjusted revenue and to create a $150 million fund that will benefit the community.

"Because Atrium has addressed a number of concerns about the deal's impact on North Carolinians, I do not oppose the combination."

Click here to read Governor Stein's September 17, 2026 letter to Atrium and WakeMed.

Click here to read Atrium's and WakeMed's September 19, 2026 response to Governor Stein's letter.