Markell Troubled by Aetna Proposal
Requests leadership team to appear before State Employee Benefit Committee
In a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Jennifer W. Davis today, State Treasurer and member of the State Employee Benefit Committee, Jack Markell expressed his concern with Aetna's proposal to eliminate coverage for a commonly used and accepted method of anesthesia during colonoscopies.
"Having personal knowledge of this issue, I am convinced that without this level of sedation, many people would choose to avoid the procedure altogether," Markell stated in the letter. "At a time when we are working so hard to reduce the awful incidence of cancer in Delaware, it makes no sense at all that we discourage people from having colonoscopies in the first place. After all, not only is a colonoscopy a diagnostic evaluation; doctors can also remove polyps when discovered during the exam, thereby getting rid of a pre-cancerous condition."
The State Employee Benefit Committee has informed Aetna, that as a result of being self-insured, the State will not impose this practice on the thousands of state employees and retirees who utilize Aetna as their health insurance provider.
"I am deeply concerned that Aetna's conduct in this instance may be an indicator of things to come," Markell said. "Quite frankly, we do not do business this way and I am concerned for the long term stability of our employee and retiree benefits through Aetna as well as the way these types of decisions may impact all Delawareans.
By way of the letter, Markell requested that the senior leadership team of Aetna, including their medical director, be required to appear before the State Employee Benefit Committee to explain their rationale and address the apparent total lack of communication with the state on this matter.
"I don't believe this proposal will in any way benefit the citizens of Delaware or their health," Markell said. "It's clear that Aetna appears to be putting their own economic benefit before the health of Delawareans.
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