After a fierce wave of backlash to its move to eliminate three Massachusetts-based health plan offerings for state employees, the Group Insurance Commission’s executive director told lawmakers Wednesday she accepts accountability.
“Though unintended, I now understand full well the concern, confusion and havoc that have ensued,” GIC executive director Roberta Herman said at a Senate oversight hearing called after the commission voted two weeks ago to consolidate its state employee health plan offerings by dropping three of its six carriers.
Sen. Cindy Friedman told Herman she was “really looking for how we put trust back into the system.” Friedman has filed legislation that would require the GIC to give the Legislature 90 days’ notice before making any major health insurance changes.