Newburgh woman among nominees to Dirigo Health board of directors

AUGUSTA – Setting more on the agenda for an upcoming Senate confirmation session, Gov. John Baldacci is nominating two new members to the Dirigo Health board of directors.

Mary McAleney of South Portland is recently retired from the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she had served as district director, and previously was a top aide to Democratic Sen. George Mitchell.

The other nominee, Mary Anne Turowski of Newburgh, works as the legislative and political director for the Maine State Employees Association. Turowski worked for 14 years for the Maine human services department.

McAleney would replace Dana Connors, who heads the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, while Turowski would replace Ned McCann, a former official with the Maine AFL-CIO.

The nominations are subject to review by the Legislature’s Committee on Insurance and Financial Services and confirmation by the Maine Senate.

“I am pleased to have two candidates of such high caliber to serve on this important board,” Baldacci said in a prepared statement. “Mary and Mary Anne are highly respected across the state and will use their considerable expertise to move forward our important effort to bring affordable, quality health care to every man, woman and child in Maine.”

In late July, the Dirigo Health board determined that the state-run program will save the state’s health care system $78 million in its third year of operation.

An organization representing the state’s four major health insurers – Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna HealthCare of Maine and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care – called the number excessive and unreasonable.

The savings determination is the starting point by which the controversial “savings offset payment,” or SOP, is determined. That payment, which is an assessment on insurers, is the current funding mechanism for Dirigo’s insurance subsidies.

Maine’s superintendent of insurance will review the estimate and come up with his own number.

“These nominees understand the needs and concerns of individuals and businesses alike in Maine,” Baldacci said. “They will contribute greatly to the management and direction of Dirigo Health as it evolves and improves affordable access to health care for all Mainers.”

The Dirigo Health board is led by Dr. Robert McAfee of Portland, a former president of the American Medical Association. Other board members include attorney Jonathan Beal of Portland and Dr. Ed David of Holden.

Dirigo Health, approved by the Legislature and signed into law in 2003, was designed to curb health care costs, promote health care quality and promote access to health care services.

The state Senate is expected to meet in September to consider gubernatorial nominations.