WakeMed-Atrium Merger Clears Commissioner Vote

Retirement Systems Executive Director Sam Watts joins us for an update after last week’s Board of Trustees meeting. Watts explains what the pension fund has to earn by year’s end for retirees to get a COLA in 2027, and why 2028 could look better once the 2022 market losses are fully absorbed. The conversation also covers why North Carolina doesn’t use automatic COLAs, what the new constitutional cap on income taxes could mean for the retirement system, why a COLA should come before an increase to the benefit formula, and how rising health care costs strain the budget. For more on COLAs, visit retirees.seanc.org.

On this special election edition, we welcome political strategist Flint Benson on break down North Carolina’s surprising results: Democrats won a large majority in the NC House while Republicans held the Senate, and key tax amendments left open major questions about revenue and services. The panel examines likely fights over the state budget, school vouchers, property-tax limits, leadership changes, Wake County races, and the surge in Gen Z and early voting — highlighting what to watch as lawmakers return to Raleigh.

In this episode, hosts Samantha Cline, Ardis Watkins and Suzanne Beasley sit down with former Representative Paul "Skip" Stam and Senator Graig Meyer to discuss two constitutional amendments on the ballot: a proposed income tax cap and a property tax limit. The guests, a Republican and a Democrat, explain their shared concerns about long-term revenue loss, regressive tax shifts, and threats to state services and employee pay. The conversation covers how the amendments could force governments to rely on sales, fees, and other regressive taxes, weaken local control, reduce reserves and borrowing power, and impact retirees, law enforcement, and emergency services. There is also an update on the Atrium-State Health Plan agreement and why board decisions mattered for plan sustainability. Listeners are urged to learn more, make a voting plan, and consider the episode’s recommendation to vote against the tax amendments; details about early voting and local endorsements are discussed.

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins and Samantha Cline are joined this week by Department of Public Safety Interim Secretary Casandra Hoekstra for an in-depth interview. Hoekstra discusses agency leadership after recent reorganizations, staffing and recruitment challenges in juvenile justice and law enforcement, cybersecurity and AI use, and ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Before the interview, we discuss SEANC's opposition to two amendments on the ballot in N.C. this year that will limit funding for public services. We also discuss the State Fair.

Thomas Friedman of the State Health Plan joins us to talk about why some Atrium facilities will be out-of-network for 2027, and how it will affect members and plan costs. The episode also covers the WakeMed–Atrium merger, community concerns, calls for public hearings, and what these developments could mean for state employees, retirees, and local healthcare access.

This week we discuss Atrium’s new “Affordability Protection Program,” which lowers out-of-pocket costs for members who stay with its doctors and hospitals without lowering the prices it charges the State Health Plan. Treasurer Brad Briner says if the program stays in place, it will bankrupt the State Health Plan. Every member will feel the strain through higher premiums, thinner benefits and less money for raises and COLAs. We also talk to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler about that behind-the-scenes work from state employees at the Department of Agriculture who plan and run the State Fair, as well the employees from other agencies, like the Department of Labor’s ride inspectors, who help keep fairgoers safe. He explains how those agencies coordinate before and during the fair, and what he wants the public to understand about the people doing the work. The State Fair runs from Oct. 16-25 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Make plans now to attend.

On this episode, SEANC Political Strategist Flint Benson and EMPAC Statewide Chair Junior Hulen explain how SEANC’s member-driven political arm (EMPAC) makes endorsements, why this year they avoided races with incumbents, and how they support chosen candidates with boots-on-the-ground activity. They also break down key North Carolina legislative races to watch, offer election timelines (registration deadline Oct 9, early voting begins Oct 15), and urge members to check vote.seanc.org and make a plan to vote on November 3.

On Monday, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 to advance parts of the WakeMed–Atrium merger after weeks of secret meetings, a large public rally, and a late statement from the governor. Community groups led by the Patients Union and the Justice Center protested the process and warned the deal will raise prices, reduce charity care, and erode local control. The transfer still faces federal and state reviews, but residents and county leaders remain sharply divided over transparency, the contract’s terms, and the future of affordable care in North Carolina.

Hosts recap the convention highlights, a new agreement allowing select Atrium hospitals into the State Health Plan access tier, and concerns about coverage and costs. The episode also features an in-depth interview with the Patients Union Executive Director Jamila Headley and Ron Stephens about the proposed WakeMed–Atrium merger, public records and transparency issues, and calls to action for a Monday rally.

The SEANC View team records live from Greensboro at the 42nd Annual Scenic Convention, introducing speakers and previewing the packed agenda, including reports, nominations, and a remembrance for 9/11. The episode covers the controversy over Atrium’s proposed takeover of WakeMed and its potential cost impact on state employees, North Carolina's poor rankings for worker protections and healthcare, concerns about privacy and Flock cameras, and quick convention updates and takes from hosts.