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State Representative Carolyn Laine
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4331
For more information contact: Jessica Nyman 651-296-8877
Press/News Releases
Rep. Laine Introduces Bill to Increase HMO Transparency
Saint Paul, Minnesota – Today, Rep. Carolyn Laine (DFL–Columbia Heights) will be introducing a bi-partisan bill requiring increased transparency in the accounting of how HMO’s use public funds. Introduction of the bill comes a day before a joint hearing in the House on HMO transparency and accountability.
“We receive mountains of reports from these managed care plans and yet this reporting includes little data that can actually assist us in our legislative oversight," said Rep. Laine. “As responsible stewards of the taxpayers’ money, we are obligated to dig deeper.”
HMO’s are given approximately $4 billion dollars a year from state funds to administer Minnesota’s public health programs. Rep. Laine’s bill would require an annual independent, third-party audit of the public money they receive. BlueCross BlueShield, Health Partners, Medica, and Ucare would all be subject to such auditing. Rep. Laine believes this will lead to a more transparent system.
“Sometimes big systems become entrenched – and $4 billion is big – but both Republicans and Democrats agree on the need for more transparency. We all complain about costs and argue about reforms, but neither side can promote effective change without this accurate information,” Rep Laine remarked.
A three and a half hour joint hearing of the House Health and Human Services Finance and Reform Committees will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. in room 200 of the State Office Building to examine the issue of transparency and accountability of our HMO’s.
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News Items
- Rep. Laine Introduces Bill to Increase HMO Transparency - (Posted: 2012-02-13 00:00:00)
- New Law Gives Minnesotans a Natural Choice for Care of Deceased - (Posted: 2010-04-22 00:00:00)
- PROGRESS MADE IN 2009 SESSION, BUT MUCH MORE WORK AHEAD - (Posted: 2009-06-03 00:00:00)
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