Novant Health CEO Carl Armato’s column published March 10 (“Policymakers must partner with health experts”) does nothing more than perpetuate the misguided propaganda circulated by the North Carolina Hospital Association.

His claim that the Clear Pricing Project will create hardship for a hospital system that reported nearly half a billion dollars in excess revenue in 2017 is baffling, to say the least. If Armato is dedicated to making healthcare less expensive and more transparent, he has the opportunity to make that a reality right now by signing-on to the Clear Pricing Project.

He can be a champion for patients and taxpayers by committing to a plan that will save taxpayers more than $258 million each year and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for the State Health Plan’s 725,000 beneficiaries by $57 million annually.

If Armato’s convictions are as he stated, then what is he waiting for?

— Robert Broome

Raleigh

Editor’s note: Robert Broome is executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina.