England leaves job at consumer health

Thursday, May 31, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Laurie England, the first director of the state Office of Consumer Health Care Assistance, has resigned her $92,000 a year job for "personal reasons."

England could not be reached for comment, but government sources said her resignation was prompted by clashes with executives in the administration of Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Jack Finn, press secretary for Guinn, said England was not fired. He produced a letter of her resignation. He said she will stay employed for 45 more days.

However, she is not in the office. No replacement has been named for England, but Mary Lushina is acting director.

Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, helped create the office two years ago and had expressed reservations when Guinn hired England. Buckley said Wednesday she was "skeptical" when England got the post, but she said the office under England has "done a pretty good job."

Buckley hoped Guinn would find a replacement who would also be a strong advocate for patients. The office helps those with illnesses or injuries in their disputes with insurance companies, managed care organizations or medical providers.

Guinn also had named England to the board of directors of the Public Employees Benefits Program, where she served as chairwoman. The program provides health insurance for state workers and their dependents.

That program also has had a change in command. In March, Jan Marie Reed, the executive officer of the insurance program, resigned for "personal reasons." Mike Oswalt, operations officer, was named temporary head of the agency.

But Oswalt left for another job. England then took a leave of absence from her job in consumer health to temporarily run the program until a permanent director was named.

The state attorney general's office is investigating a recent trip made by England and Reed to a convention in Kansas City at state expense.

Government sources said Reed, who was not on the payroll, traveled on a state airplane ticket that was apparently purchased while she was in office.

It is not clear whether England, as executive officer of the insurance program, approved the travel of Reed at state expense.

A source, who asked not to be identified, said there would not be any criminal violation if England had authorized the Reed travel. Reed could not be reached for comment Wednesday.