An update from Rep. Ingraham

I recently received information from the Montana Healthcare Foundation regarding their search for five trustees to oversee the $40.2 million proceeds from the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana that I wanted to bring to your attention. Montana Code Annotated (MCA) §50-4-720 prevents public officials such as myself and anyone who is an officer, director, or staff member of either Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana or Health Care Service Corporation from serving as trustees. Others, such as yourself, who might have a strong interest in healthcare programs and services in Montana may want to consider such an undertaking.

The Foundation will provide financial support to improve the quality, availability, and awareness of healthcare programs and services for Montanans. Within this general purpose, the trustees will make determinations of specific programs and services, which could change from time to time, depending upon the trustees’ judgment of Montanans’ healthcare needs.

Attorney General Tim Fox designated the Montana Healthcare Foundation to receive $40.2 million upon the closing of the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana to Health Care Service Corporation. The Foundation will receive additional funding upon the subsequent sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana assets.

Applicants should review the Selection Criteria which is posted on the Montana Healthcare Foundation’s website, www.montanahealthcarefoundation.org. Applicants should have an interest in, and concern for, healthcare programs and services for Montanans. Applicants are not required to be experts in medicine or in healthcare. The Declaration of Trust contemplates that the trustees may establish one or more advisory committees to provide advice and recommendations regarding the Foundation’s programs.

Individuals interested in serving as a trustee must complete the application form which can be found on the Foundation’s website. Applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically in Adobe PDF format to: MontanaHealthCareFoundation@gmail.com NO LATER THAN August 23, 2013.

The Foundation’s Search and Screening Committee will submit a list of at least five trustee applicants to Attorney General Tim Fox this fall. The Attorney General may appoint some or all of the applicants recommended by the Committee or may request names of additional applicants if he feels some do not meet the selection criteria.

Two of the five trustees will serve a term of six years. Two trustees will serve a term of five years. One trustee will serve a term of four years.

If you are interested and have any questions, please contact the Interim Trustee, E. Edwin Eck, by email at MontanaHealthCareFoundation@gmail.com, by U.S. mail at P.O. Box 7042, Missoula, MT 59807, or by telephone, 243-6534.

Now it’s your turn to “Keep in Touch” with me regarding your questions and concerns, by contacting me via e-mail at pathd13@blackfoot.net, by phone at 827-4652 or by mail at P.O. Box 1151, Thompson Falls, Montana 59873.