The SEANC View

The proposed Atrium–WakeMed merger has sparked serious concern among Raleigh residents and the 748,000 state employees and retirees covered by the State Health Plan, which could see significant premium increases if the deal goes through. This week we spoke with Nathan Foster of the NC Justice Center and Anthony Pope of Men of Southeast Raleigh about what this merger would mean for the people who depend on WakeMed most.
We discuss the potential impacts on costs and access to care, Atrium's history with medical debt and legal tactics, the secrecy surrounding the deal, the county commission process, and how you can take action — including at Monday's public hearing before the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

North Carolina's pension fund had a strong year. The fund earned an estimated $17 billion and returned 12.4% for the year ending June 30. So why aren't retirees getting COLAs?
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins and Samantha Cline discuss this issue as they break down the week in state politics. They discuss the Atrium–state health plan standoff and its impact on premiums, and rising concerns over Social Security funding.
They also cover local fallout from the state budget (Wake County schools), a summer cyclosporiasis outbreak, DMV staffing and technology updates, and the growing debate over hemp-derived THC products and Gen Z consumption trends

This episode covers the legislature's return and the 51-page Technical Corrections Bill that restored funding for some departments, extended Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and included incentives for major sporting events, while the House prepares to take up the bill.We also discuss new election bills that shrink early voting, the escalating state health plan conflict with Atrium over pricing and network access, concerns about hospital and pension practices, Gen Z voting trends, and the podcast’s new AI chatbot feature.

This episode of The SEANC View podcast discussed the new tier system of the State Health Plan, highlighting the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Atrium and WakeMed from preferred provider status. The plan aims to cap hospital reimbursements, which can sometimes reach over 800% of Medicare rates. Without the tier system, approved by the State Health Plan Board of Trustees, members faced premium increases of up to 21%. The discussion also touched on the financial reserves of these hospitals, the impact on rural healthcare, and the need for transparency in hospital pricing.

State Treasurer Brad Briner and Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman join us this week to recap the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting and explain major changes: a premium increase, a new three-tier provider network (preferred, access, non-preferred), and the decision to return Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as the third-party administrator and pharmacy benefit manager in 2028.
They discuss why the changes are needed to control costs, how tiers work for members across urban and rural areas, protections for patients in active treatment, and next steps for implementation and member engagement.

Hosts break down the newly signed state budget — what the 3% raise really means, why raises and bonuses are delayed, and how step pay plans affect probation, parole, and correctional staff. They also cover retiree reactions and the controversy over who receives bonuses.
The episode previews the State Health Plan Board meeting, reviews the Public Workforce Modernization Act (including extended parental leave), answers Facebook viewer questions, and asks listeners how they would spend a proposed $1 billion for state needs. Send your answers to podcast@seanc.org
 

This week, we break down the newly passed state budget: modest 3% raises for most state employees, targeted larger increases for law enforcement and corrections, bonuses for workers and retirees, and concerns about cuts and hundreds of vacant positions.
The episode discusses rising state health plan costs, the $1 billion left unappropriated (and speculation about public funding for a sports team), member outrage, and the importance of voting and civic involvement ahead of the November election.

In this episode, Dr. Brian Miller — hospitalist, policy advisor, and vice chair of the North Carolina State Health Plan Board — explores why health care is so expensive and what can be done about it.
We discuss hospital consolidation and the Atrium–WakeMed merger, steering and preferred provider strategies, income‑adjusted premiums, price transparency, drug costs, and practical steps the state health plan is taking to lower costs and protect members.