ST. PAUL — The head of the beleaguered MNsure health insurance exchange is resigning today to accept a new job.
The MNsure board is to meet briefly this afternoon to accept the resignation, and likely name an interim chief executive officer. MNsure reported that outgoing CEO Scott Leitz and board Chairman Brian Beutner will answer media questions after the meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public and press.
Leitz leaves for a job with a health care-related think tank.
He was named CEO after serving as interim MNsure leader since Dec. 18, 2013. He replaced the original CEO, who resigned amid controversy. He has worked in the health industry for 20 years.
Leitz took over an agency, which was established by Democrats as a place Minnesotans could buy health insurance online, that was under strong criticism for numerous software problems and very long waits for people wanting information by telephone.
Those problems eased, but were not erased during Leitz’ time at the helm.
House Republicans passed a bill that would turn MNsure into a state department, instead of the independent agency it is now. Gov. Mark Dayton and other Democrats also have embraced the idea, which supporters say would make MNsure more accountable.
Beutner’s term ends this year and he is not expected to seek a reappointment.
Date: May 4, 2015