Health Care Leaders Visit Smith Anderson for Business North Carolina Magazine Roundtable

Health care leaders from around North Carolina gathered at Smith Anderson for a Business North Carolina magazine "Health Care Checkup" roundtable to discuss the issues facing health care and what can be done to improve it.

Smith Anderson health care attorney Robert Shaw participated in the panel that included:

• Chip Baggett, CEO of the N.C. Medical Society
• Allison Farmer, CEO of EmergeOrtho
• Steve Lawler, President and CEO of the N.C. Healthcare Association
• Jay Ludlam, Deputy Secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
• Michael Smith, CEO of CarolinaEast Health System
• Peggy Terhune, CEO of Monarch
• David Zaas, President of Atrium Health/Wake Forest Baptist

"I think the biggest issue in healthcare is the tremendous challenge of aligning incentives of the stakeholders – patients, the payers, the providers – and those that work in the interests of those stakeholders," Robert said during the discussion. "It turns out that it’s a very challenging thing to do, and it’s essential for the long-term success of the system."

Looking forward, Robert said that he is most excited about the unprecedented enthusiasm and investment in innovation and healthy outcomes.

"With technology and AI, we can look forward to 20 years from now and see how much incredible innovation and new investments and new technologies will improve health care in the long run," Robert said.

Health systems and hospitals create more than 275,000 jobs in North Carolina, making them one of the 10 largest employers in 92 out of the state’s 100 counties, and one of the top three employers in 45 counties, according to BNC. They also directly contribute $40 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, or about 6 percent of North Carolina’s economy. Additionally, they provided another $5.8 billion in community contributions, whether through charity care or Medicaid. Smith Anderson’s team of health care attorneys guide medical professionals through the changes and evolving regulatory environment, and represent health care facilities, physician practices, long-term care organizations and private equity investments in a variety of transactional and litigation matters.

Robert has extensive experience in solving health care and tax challenges important to clients and has represented clients in transactional matters across the country, including public company hospitals, accountable care organizations, private equity firms and regional and national health care providers. He regularly handles complex restructuring, M&A work on the buyer side and seller side, Medicare and Medicaid audits, value-based care projects, tax planning and controversy, hospital joint ventures, employment agreements, corporate advice and regulatory compliance. His recognitions include Chambers USA: Health Care (2023-2024); The Best Lawyers in America®, Administrative/Regulatory Law (2023-2024) and North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013-2017).

A PDF of the entire conversation can be viewed here. A video excerpt from the discussion can be seen here and below.