I have said time and again that what we have today is not really a system due in large part to the lack of communication and coordination among various providers. However, there are examples where coordination is happening and solutions are working. One example of these solutions can be found right in WakeMed’s backyard.  In [...]

Flu is officially widespread in North Carolina and WakeMed is already seeing more than 80 patients per day across our 5 emergency departments. This flu season it is more important than ever to know how to protect yourself from the flu – both H1N1 and seasonal.  Learn about prevention, signs and symptoms and when to seek health care by [...]

Another great local case study that could be held up as a national model is Alliance Medical Ministry.
Alliance Medical Ministry is a faith-based medical ministry that serves uninsured working families in Wake County. For the most part, Alliance operates like any other private doctor’s office. Board certified physicians provide general primary care to patients [...]

New census figures released in late August show that fewer Americans are without health insurance.  The number of uninsured dropped from 47 million (15.8 % of Americans) in 2006 to 45.7 million (15.3%) in 2007, partly due to expanded Medicaid roles and better coverage for children.  But the problem of uninsured Americans remains very real [...]

America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009
Read the full health care reform proposal submitted by Senator Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
What’s in Baucus’ health care proposal?, CNN.com
CNN summarizes some of the key points of Senator Baucus’ health care reform proposal.
8 Questions About Health-Care Reform, Washington Post
Is There Hope For Health Reform?, Washington [...]

The U.S. Congress returns to session today to resume the debate over health care reform after a busy August recess that was marked by contentious town hall debates across the country.  It will be interesting to see what sort of direction the legislative proposals take.
Over the weekend, Senator Max Baucus circulated a draft of the [...]

If health care is a basic fundamental right – and I believe it is – then we have to make it a fundamental service that’s available to everyone.  We’re fortunate in this nation to have some of the best elements of health care – exceptional and committed medical professionals, the latest technology, and  groundbreaking research [...]

If you read the Business section of Sunday’s News & Observer, you may have seen a familiar article. An N&O business editor contacted WakeMed and requested to re-print Dr. Atkinson’s recent blog post, “Employment and Insurance: What’s the Connection?”
Check it out here.

In the last few months, I’ve been getting this question a lot. To answer it simply, WakeMed can’t afford to not be involved. Here’s a more extensive explanation.

The video is embedded from YouTube, and may not be visible from within the hospital.