Jim Melvin: "Cone and Alamance merger perfect match": How many jobs does Mr. Melvin want to cut?

"On Dec. 15, there was a very important marriage in our region.

Why is Jim Melvin for a healthcare merger

that could eliminate competition

and create a healthcare monopoly

that could raise prices at will?

This marriage put two great organizations together.

How many jobs will the merger eliminate?

Those organizations were Alamance Regional Hospital and Cone Health.

Will healthcare costs rise or fall because of the merger?

Individually, they are two of the finest health care organizations in our state, and together, with their combined resources, they give us a truly outstanding provider of health care for all of us in central North Carolina.

Will there be more or less competition?

This is a perfect marriage because the two organizations complement each other in so many positive ways.

How many jobs will the merger eliminate?

There is very little overlap in services, which means they can use resources to focus on the health care needs of the region.

Will prices be more transparent?

The marriage will provide the health care professionals in our community broader opportunities to work together and share the best practices and focus on enhancing the quality and depth of services they provide to us, their patients.

Will healthcare costs rise or fall?

A very positive part of this merger shores up our region and gives us opportunities to work together.

How would the merger "shore up" our region?

...In this changing world of health care, it assures us the best, most cost-effective care.

How so?

If Jim isn't on the board of one of the hospitals...?

Will the merger increase or decrease competitivness?

Why is Jim an advocate of the merger?

We should congratulate the management and the boards of both organizations for their truly outstanding vision in causing this merger."

Jim Melvin
Greensboro

The writer is president, the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation.