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Pete A. wary of bill provisions in proposed CHC privatization
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Posted on Jul 11 2008
Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio has cautioned the Legislature about the autonomy being proposed for the future Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
Tenorio said that a “quasi-independent status…may not have any true advantages over the current system.”
In a written comment submitted to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, Tenorio said the hospital corporation bill should be clearer about who would be ultimately responsible for running the hospital once it is transformed into a separate, self-governing entity.
He raised concern about the proposal to give advisory powers only to the board of trustees. Although the trustees can recommend to hire and fire the chief executive officer, the CEO ultimately answers to the governor, not the board.
He also noted that the legislation, as introduced, does not speak to continuity, giving the notion that the board of trustees and the CEO will change with the election of each new governor.
“The Legislature might want to consider creating a board of trustees that not only has true governing responsibilities, but is accountable for the operation of the hospital, clinics, and other related health care services,” Tenorio said.
He pointed out that the Legislature and the governor would maintain legal oversight of the board and the corporation, but would not be responsible for day-to-day operations.
Furthermore, he said the Legislature should ensure the new corporation would remain eligible for all federal grants that would be transferred from the existing Department of Public Health, as well as for Medicaid, Medicare, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The bill creating a Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is before the House of Representatives. Similar versions of the legislation have been discussed, passed by the Legislature, rejected by the Executive Branch, and again reconsidered by both branches in one form or another several times in the past years.
