Guinn names state’s first health care ombudsman

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 11:48 a.m.

Laurie England of Carson City was named by Gov. Kenny Guinn to be the first director of a newly created state office to resolve complaints from consumers and injured workers about their health care insurance coverage.

Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said she's distressed about the appointment. She pushed for the ombudsman office to help patients and injured workers who have trouble with their health insurance companies or workers compensation.

Buckley, assistant Assembly majority leader, said England tried "to sabotage the bill."

England, currently chief of managed care for the state's Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, told lawmakers the new office would create confusion with Medicaid patients, Buckley said.

England said she was given a prepared text from her division 10 minutes before the committee hearing to read. She added many things have changed since she gave that testimony in March.

"I feel very confident I will do right by the citizens," England said, adding she intends to search for solutions "that are amicable" in disputes over insurance coverage.

Jack Finn, press secretary for Guinn, said England "testified very early on. Once the bill was crafted and once it was in its final form, she was very much in support."

Joining the criticism of the appointment was the Nevada Health Care Reform Project, a coalition of 53 organizations in the state.

Ruth Mills, coordinator of the project, said the group favored somebody with a health care background, knowledgeable about medical and surgical issues and procedures. And the project wanted somebody willing to have a high visibility with a commitment to resolution of problems.