Wanted: a strong manager for Business Group in New York - Editorial

The New York Business Group on Health is in the unenviable position of having to find a new executive director. Donna Lynne, who has served the group capably for the past 18 months, has left to serve as director of the Office of Operations for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. As Congress and the legislature in Albany draft plans for health reform, one of the most important groups serving employers' interests in the Big Apple is leaderless.

New York may be the nation's largest city, but it is not known as a leader among the employer coalitions that are reforming how health care is delivered in many other parts of the country. In fact, NYBGH has been frustrated by a state law that forbids negotiating with hospitals on rates and by the preponderance of specialists that makes it difficult to contract with physicians, says Lynne. "The doctors practice the way they want to in New York," she says. The New York Chamber of Commerce has not taken a strong position on health care, and employers, frankly, have other problems, she adds.

Don't misunderstand, however. Donna Lynne did not leave NYBGH because she was frustrated. Although she worked hard to make the group more responsive to the needs of business, she left because she felt duty bound to serve the city when Giuliani called. With a staff of 150, Lynne heads up a department with broad responsibilities, including emergency response efforts, and the city's ambulance service.

For a replacement, Ed Ortiz, who is leading NYBGH's effort to find a successor, says his committee is seeking someone with "a good amount of experience in health care, some background in business, and a knowledge of New York." Ortiz is the director of Personnel Services for Con Edison in New York.

It is interesting to note that at the same time just a bit further east, a business group serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York, is starting the Long Island Association Health Alliance Inc., in Commack, N.Y. Using managed competition, the voluntary health alliance will offer insurance to businesses of fewer than 50 employees. Employers who join will pay one price per employee, and be able to offer a variety of plans to workers, says Fred Barba, executive director. Barba hopes to begin operating this summer and offer six to 10 health plans to employers. The alliance has contracted with Value Health Management, Avon, Conn., to provide a report card on quality, and with Health Benefits America, in Salt Lake City, to process claims, verify eligibility, and collect premiums.

Perhaps the new NYBGH executive director should take note.

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