The proposed deal, which WakeMed has said includes a $2 billion investment, has drawn scrutiny from patients, community members and public officials since it was announced.
WakeMed says the investment would create jobs and expand care as the region's population grows. For some longtime patients, the merger has raised concerns about the future of a hospital system they have relied on for decades.
"What is being protected right now? You know, obviously, it's a it's part of the community, and people are able to get care there," said Harold Malette of Raleigh.
Critics questioned whether the merger could affect the quality of care and the hospital system's workforce.
"And so when you're saying that you're going to bring 3,300 more jobs into the area, who's going to fill them? What's going to happen is quality is going to go down, costs are going to go up. And the only people that have any benefit in this are the CEOs and the board members," said nurse Michele Morrow.
Another major concern centered on whether a loss of local control could affect WakeMed's history of serving low-income patients.
"These people have no choice. They don't have health care because they can't afford it. It's not because they don't want to have health care. It's not. They don't want to take care of themselves. They can't," patient Elena Ceberio said.
Gintzig sought to reassure attendees about the proposed partnership.
"We are still WakeMed," he said. "And so it really is about what we know in our heart is the best thing, not just for today, but for the next 50 years."
Residents also called for greater transparency and urged WakeMed to make the full agreement public. Asked whether the full deal would be released, Gintzig responded: "No. It's a private agreement between WakeMed, a separate private entity. It's got competitive information in it."
According to the report, only a small group of Wake County commissioners and their attorneys have been allowed to review the agreement.
Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings said that review process is still in its early stages.
"I share a lot of the questions and absolutely. And one thing I think is important, I would like to have an opportunity to speak on the future of this question, because I think they have. And I'd like for them to have the opportunity," Stallings said.
Wake County commissioners initially delayed a vote on the proposal by at least 90 days in May.
Stallings said she does not expect a vote to occur immediately because questions remain unanswered and residents still need an opportunity to provide input.
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