Carolina Journal News Reports
CJ Series

Selling Rex?

Officials at WakeMed Health and Hospitals fear that Rex Healthcare, owned by the UNC Health Care system, is trying to take away some of its profitable practices. In 2011, WakeMed proposed purchasing Rex from UNC for $750 million. UNC doesn't want to sell, but top Republicans in the General Assembly are intrigued by the idea of limiting UNC's ability to compete with private health care providers. Read about the controversy here.

(4.10.12) WakeMed, Rex Spar Over Level of Charity Care
RALEIGH — As a system, UNC Health Care and Rex Healthcare reported nearly $250 million in community benefit in 2010, compared with WakeMed’s $180 million. WakeMed officials counter that UNC hospitals are located in Chapel Hill, not Wake County, so much of UNC’s uncompensated care benefits people outside of WakeMed’s service area.

(3.15.12) WakeMed and Rex Tussle Over Definition of ‘Private’
RALEIGH — WakeMed officials claim Rex is a public hospital and uses state tax dollars to compete “unfairly.” Rex officials say WakeMed isn’t any more private than Rex, as the county still appoints a majority of its board members. Moreover, Rex officials say the hospital receives no direct subsidies from UNC Health Care or the General Assembly.

(11.01.11) WakeMed Forced to Compete With Government-Owned Rex Heart Center
RALEIGH — WakeMed officials worry that a new heart center at Rex could erode the most profitable aspects of WakeMed’s operations, a loss of profits that could limit its ability to provide health services to the indigent.

(8.30.11) WakeMed Continues to Pursue Purchase of Rex Healthcare
RALEIGH — UNC Health Care’s rejection of WakeMed Health and Hospitals’ offer to purchase Rex Healthcare could thrust the battle between the two medical providers more prominently in the public eye.

(6.02.11) No More Socialized Medicine
The optimal size, shape, and management of hospital systems ought to be sorted out through market competition, not government policy.

(12.21.10) WakeMed Accuses UNC Health Care of Using Unfair Practices
RALEIGH — WakeMed officials claim the state-owned UNC Health Care has used taxpayer money to expand its network of providers, particularly in profitable areas such as cardiac care, leaving the private, non-profit WakeMed to shoulder 80 percent of costs for treating uninsured patients in Wake County.