After the Public Employees Retirement Board made the controversial decision to pick Sanford Health over Blue Cross-Blue Shield for state employees’ health insurance, a lot of questions were raised – and the Legislature decided to put two lawmakers on the PERS board.
But since that time…
"I think a lot of it has gone away," said Rep. Pamela Anderson (D-Fargo), one of the two state lawmakers chosen to serve on the board. The 2015 Legislature added two lawmakers after questions were raised about how the PERS board made its choice.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield had been the provider for years. But the PERS board said Sanford offered a comparable plan at substantial savings.
Anderson says the PERS staff has worked with Sanford to address the employees' concerns.
"I'm sure things will come up," said Anderson. "But I felt that the PERS board and staff, and Sanford, have been more than willing to tackle any of the issues. And the communication has been very good."
"There were a lot of questions," said Sen. Dick Dever (R-Bismarck), the other lawmaker appointed to the board. "We have had the opportunity through our involvement to get those questions answered."
Dever says the transition from the Blues to Sanford has gone well.
"It's been better than some people had expected," Dever said. "And it's better than some people would like to admit."
Dever says Sanford has been very responsive.
"Sanford has really gone above and beyond, I think," said Dever.
Dever says some PERS board members and state employees were concerned that the appointed legislators would have an agenda. But he says he sees his role more as a liason between PERS and the Legislature.
Anderson says she enjoys serving on the PERS board. And she says unless you’re a member of that board, you don’t realize how hard the PERS staff works for the benefit of state employees and retirees.
