Texas Political Lobbyist News
United HealthCare Awarded State Contract in Texas
In February of 2012, a major client of the Texas Lobby Group – United HealthCare – was awarded the state contract to provide administrative oversight for the healthcare plans of Texas employees. UHC will be providing access to their vast network of physicians, health care facilities, and other healthcare related resources for HealthSelect of Texas.
Blue Cross of Texas had the contract for over 30 years. There have been suggestions that the loss of their contract was due to influence of lobbyists, but The Austin American Statesman notes that a number of employee oversight groups seem satisfied that the decision was made for fiscal reasons only. In addition, The Dallas Morning News has report that UHC should save Texans 41 million dollars a year.
The Austin American Statesman states that legislative and political director for the Texas State Employees Union, Derrick Osobase, has noted that the Employees Retirement System (ERS) has a history of doing good research before making contract decisions like this.