Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Honour is calling for the resignation of the executive director of the state's fledgling health insurance exchange following revelations she took a weeklong tropical vacation as the online insurance marketplace was swamped with problems.
"I can't imagine the head of a company being on vacation during a major product rollout," said Honour, a businessman. "So for the head of MNSure to be on vacation in Costa Rica during the troubled rollout of a government program that affects the lives of almost every Minnesotan is beyond belief."
MNsure executive director April Todd-Malmlov took a weeklong vacation to Costa Rica with state Medicaid director James Golden late last month. The two have worked closely on the implementation of the new health insurance exchange.
Spokespersons from MNsure and the Minnesota Department of Human Services said there is no conflict of interest in Todd-Malmlov and Golden's relationship.
A statement said Todd-Malmlov does not supervise Golden and that they work for entirely different agencies.
"There is no reporting relationship," a statement said.
"While Mr. Golden plays an important role with MNsure regarding public programs, ultimate authority and responsibility resides further up in the organization," state Department of Human Services officials wrote in a statement. "During his absence there were senior officials deeply involved in the project, including an assistant commissioner, deputy commissioner and commissioner. While he was away Mr. Golden was in regular contact with them and MNsure."
Neither Todd-Malmlov nor Golden could immediately be reached for comment. According to Star Tribune records, the two live together in St. Paul.
