Front page news with devastating consequences for eastern North Carolina. Vidant Health now stands to lose $35 million ANNUALLY effective July 1. This is ON TOP OF the $38 million annual cut taking effect on Jan. 1, 2020 due to changes to the State Health Plan. Today’s article in The Daily Reflector includes comments by Pat Ryan, spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. It appears he is misinformed and as a result, is justifying stripping millions of dollars out of our region. We don’t know who advocated for this – and it is clear they do not understand the education and care environment at Vidant Medical Center (VMC). The recent changes to the VMC board now gives East Carolina University (ECU) – FOR THE FIRST TIME – two guaranteed appointments on the board. Historically, the Pitt County Commissioners and UNC Board of Governors determined these appointments. The Pitt County Commissioners and Vidant appropriately made these changes with the understanding that a boar...