ST. PAUL, MN – Today, State Representative Mary Sawatzky (DFL – Willmar) congratulated Dr. Kathryn Duevel on her appointment by Governor Mark Dayton to a seven-member board responsible for managing and operating MNsure – a new health insurance marketplace where Minnesotans can choose quality, affordable health insurance.
The board, which was established by law earlier this legislative session, was chosen through the state’s open appointments process from a pool of 112 candidates. Board members will serve staggered four-year terms. With the exception of the Commissioner of Human Services, all members are limited to two terms of service.
“Dr. Duevel is an excellent choice for the MNsure board and I congratulate her on her appointment,” said Rep. Sawatzky. “It’s great for our area to have this representation on the board and it will ensure that MNsure works for all Minnesotans, rural and metro. It’s a very exciting day and I know Kathy will do fantastic work.”
Dr. Kathryn Duevel is an OBGYN physician. She worked at Affiliated Community Medical Centers in Willmar, Minnesota for more than 20 years until June 2012. In addition to her MD degree from the University of MN, she has a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. Dr. Duevel was previously a member of the executive board of the MN ACOG(American College of OBGYN) and Rice Memorial Hospital's Medical Staff Executive Committee while also serving as Vice Chief of Staff and Credentials Chair. She currently leads Rice Memorial Hospital’s OB Patient Safety Committee and was a founding board member for the Kandiyohi Area Family YMCA. She has served as a volunteer physician with the Remote Area Medical Women’s Health Program in Guyana, South America and African Medical Mission in South Africa.
The appointed board will hold its first meeting in May. The board’s responsibilities are outlined below:
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Establish MNsure budget, employ personnel and delegate responsibilities to the Director and other personnel;
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Establish certification requirements for insurance producers;
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Establish policies and procedures for operation of a navigator program, in-person assister program, call center, and customer service provisions, to be implemented beginning January 1, 2015;
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Ensure customer assistance information is accessible to persons with disabilities, and that information on public health care programs include information about other coverage options for persons with disabilities;
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Establish certification requirements for health carriers and health plans;
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Establish policies and procedures for the selection of health plans to be offered as qualified health plans; and
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Establish advisory committees as needed.
Rep. Sawatzky encourages constituents to contact her with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Sawatzky can be reached by phone at 651-296-6206 or by email at rep.mary.sawatzky@house.mn. Constituents can also visit Rep. Sawatzky’s AreaVoices blog, legislative page and sign up for email updates.