Letter to the editor: What was Metzger’s role in delivering HMO savings?

As the election approaches, it is important that our candidates are properly vetted by members of the community. I must ask Ann Marie Metzger, “Is truth an absolute and immutable fact, or is it relative to your perspective?”

Most of us would say truth is that which corresponds with reality. That being said, please enlighten us, Ms. Metzger, on how your actions helped Minnesota recover $73 million from HMOs, as stated on your website.

The facts tell another story. In truth, we can thank Dr. David Feinwachs, a corporate attorney for the Minnesota Hospital Association, whose employment was terminated after he authored and produced a video known as the “HMO black box”, and state Sen. Sean Nienow. According to Feinwachs, $3 billion state tax dollars enter an HMO black box every biennium and are never accounted for. HMOs were allowed to self-report their expenditures and were not subject to competitive bidding. Sen. Nienow introduced an audit provision to the 2012 Health and Human Services omnibus bill effectively shutting down the HMO black box. The audit provision alters Minnesota Statutes section 256B.69 and allows for an additional layer of oversight by inserting a third-party financial auditor who is empowered by and answerable to the Minnesota legislative auditor.

I have been unable to find evidence of Ms. Metzger’s participation in the legislative record. Perhaps Ms. Metzger exaggerated her role as a member of a grassroots organization and believes that true reform can be accomplished by protesting in front of HMO buildings and screaming in the faces of terrified employees.

Public officials should not be chosen if they are lacking in character, training, proven virtue and demonstrated wisdom.

Susan Richardson - Woodbury

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