Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee called the state treasurer today for failing to respond to a nine-page budget question and request for data on the state’s health insurance plan for public employees filed seven months ago. criticized.
Republicans on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee have accused the state treasurer of failing to respond to a nine-page budget question about the state’s health plan for public employees submitted seven months ago. (© iStock)
Republican Senate Majority Leader Steven Orojo, Republican Budget Officer Declan Oscanlon, Sen. Sam Thompson, and Sen. Michael Testa told state treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio for her lack of transparency. and again demanded a final acknowledgment that they were unable to provide answers to their regular budget questions. A request for data that is answered annually (except this time) as part of the budget process.
In addition, Republican lawmakers made new demands for Treasury documents that read: (2) The impact on taxpayers of capping the state’s employee premium share would increase him by 3%, and taxpayers would have to bear the difference.
Failure to acknowledge lack of transparency will ensure the issue remains unresolved, and failure to provide newly requested information on cost controls will likely repeat the 22% increase in government healthcare spending next year. Become.
The full text of the letter is below (click here for PDF with attachments).
October 21, 2022
Dear Muoio Treasurer
As you know, on March 14th, the Nonpartisan Legislature (OLS) issued a 9-page request for information (including several data requests and 27 separate questions, attached for reference) on state-run health insurance benefits. submitted. Civil servants and retirees, and the Treasury have yet to provide substantive answers. Indeed, the ministry responded to a plea for response from OLS on June 8 by indicating that a substantive response was still in preparation, and to another request on July 19. , it should be aware that the response has not yet been provided. So yesterday I was embarrassed to hear you double-down with reporters about your previous cryptic allegations that you were transparent and didn’t withhold information during (and after) the budget process. Again, either make substantive answers readily available to the March 14th OLS questions and requests for data, or eventually admit that you are actually withholding information and have no answers. please
In addition, yesterday we formally filed an Open Public Records Act Request (W192270) seeking information and estimates regarding savings ideas for certain health benefits that could help mitigate premium rate increases. As you know, the agency has access to billing information and the deliverables of his healthcare consultant, AON, so it can independently formulate the requested information. The contents of the request were as follows.
- Documents describing SHBP and SEHBP premium savings ideas or options created on or after January 1, 2020. This includes departmental estimates of work product or insurance savings on the same made by AON. This request includes, but is not limited to, a list of options to be offered to the Planning and Design Commission in anticipation of its August 11th meeting.
- Documents assessing or estimating the financial impact of proposed resolutions submitted by union representatives of the SHBP program, including AON work products
Prior to the Design Commission and State Health Benefits Review Board
Meeting on September 14, 2022. - Documents containing AON work products, assessment or estimate of premium savings
Resulting from a plan design change endorsed by the SHBP Planning and Design Committee; or
State Health Benefits Review Board at its Sept. 14, 2022 meeting.When - Documents containing AON work products.
Employees are entitled to a 3% cap on state employee premium contributions, as reflected in a “memorandum of agreement” between the state and certain civil service unions on or about September 14. to the cost or financial impact of or other agreements.
According to the letter, because such information is necessary for their respective capacities as senators, they are requesting that the above information be provided pursuant to common law access rights in addition to their rights under the Open Public Records Act. increase. Budget and Appropriations Committee. If no information is provided under common law access, we request a list of rejected documents and the reasons for each rejection.
You have been completely transparent and look forward to receiving this information promptly given your statement to reporters yesterday that you have provided similar information to others. aisle.
Sincerely,
Stephen V. Oroho
Declan J. Oscanlon Jr.
Samuel D. Thompson
Michael L. Testa Jr.
.
