August '07 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Communications Director Brent Boynton
to Return to Television News

"As A 28-Year Veteran of Television News and a
Former Eight-Year Employee of KOLO-TV,
this Move Makes Me Feel as if I'm Going Home"
GOVERNOR JIM GIBBONS' communications director, Brent Boynton, has resigned to become anchor and assistant news director at KOLO-TV, the ABC affiliate in Reno. He will assume the main anchor role held for nearly four decades by anchorman Tad Dunbar, who retired last month. Boynton's last day in the governor's office will be September 7th.

"Brent's professionalism and loyalty will be missed by my administration and all those who have had the opportunity to work with him as communications director. I thank him for his dedicated service to the state and wish him the best of luck at Channel 8 and in all future endeavors. I know many people are looking forward to seeing him on the air again, and Dawn and I are among them," said Governor Jim Gibbons.

"It has been an honor serving Jim Gibbons as he has served the people of Nevada—in Congress, as a candidate and now as governor," Boynton said. "He is a good man who inspires his staff. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work for him and to work with talented and dedicated coworkers. However, Channel 8 made me an offer I couldn't refuse. As a 28-year veteran of television news and a former eight-year employee of KOLO-TV, this move makes me feel as if I'm going home."

Press secretary Melissa Subbotin will remain available to handle all media inquiries. Please feel free to contact her at (775) 684-5667 or msubbotin@gov.nv.gov.

Governor Expresses Concerns About Merger

Calls Upon Attorney General to Pursue
Efforts to Protect Nevada Citizens
GOVERNOR JIM GIBBONS expressed concerns today [August 27, 2007] about the approved merger between Sierra Health Services and UnitedHealth Group and asked for safeguards to ensure that healthcare in Nevada does not suffer as a result of that merger.

"I am deeply disturbed by some of the potential monopolistic tendencies that can result from this merger and by the constraints in Nevada law that prevented the Insurance Commissioner from acting more forcefully to curb these potential threats," said Governor Gibbons. "I urge the Attorney General to work with my office to take any and all legal steps to prevent adverse outcomes and will also urge the Justice Department to closely examine the monopolistic potential in their review of this merger."

Governor Gibbons initiated a series of hearings on the merger and welcomed the input of the public and of the medical and political community. "During those hearings, I heard many valid concerns about the potential for higher prices or loss of access to medical care if this merger takes place," Gibbons stated. "While the Insurance Commissioner was able to require some concessions, I am not convinced that we have enough protections for the public at this time. We need to take additional steps to ensure that Nevadans are not harmed by this merger.

"The free market works best for consumers when safeguards are in place that prevent monopolistic tendencies from hampering competition. The Nevada Attorney General and the Justice Department need to examine this merger and take all appropriate steps to ensure that Nevada consumers are protected from the potentially negative consequences that can result when competition is greatly reduced," Gibbons added.

Governor Gibbons noted that in other states, mergers of this size have included a number of concessions from the merging companies to ensure that the newly created companies do not take advantage of their increased market share by charging much higher premium rates or by reducing payments to healthcare providers, which can result in a loss of doctors. For example, when UnitedHealth Group acquired Pacificare Life and Health in California, the insurance commissioner required that the company not pay any dividends to the parent company to ensure that premiums were not raised to cover the merger costs and also required that the company protect consumers by waiving preexisting conditions periods in some circumstances. In Colorado, UnitedHealth was required to fund a liaison between the medical community and the insurer to address physician concerns caused by a similar merger.

Gibbons noted that healthcare costs and access to health care are major concerns in Nevada, and he pledged to work with the Attorney General and other officials to ensure that all legal safeguards are implemented to protect consumers and providers.

"Both in public hearings and in meetings with advocates and opponents of this merger, I have heard many concerns about this merger's impact on consumers, as well as advantages to the merger," Gibbons concluded. "I share many of the concerns, and I will work with other public officials to ensure that we take steps to address them while making sure that we obtain the benefits promised by UnitedHealth."

Governor Gibbons Appoints Kitty Jung to Washoe County Commission

GOVERNOR JIM GIBBONS' today [August 29, 2007] announced the appointment of Kitty Jung to the Washoe County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacant District 3 seat recently held by Pete Sferrazza who accepted an appointment as Justice of the Peace for Department 2 of the Reno Justice Court.

"Kitty Jung has an extensive history of community service and public relations, and she has worked closely with current Washoe County Commissioners and state elected officials as an advocate for the community. She is well known and respected by her peers, and I know that she will serve her community well as County Commissioner," said Governor Gibbons.

Kitty Jung currently serves as Community Liaison for the City of Reno and has over 10 years of additional government and community relations experience. Prior to serving the City of Reno, Kitty held the position of Business and Community Liaison for Sierra Job Corps Center in Reno, Nevada. She also has an extensive background as lecturer and instructor in the field of psychology, including two years in the Liberal Arts and Public Service Division at Truckee Meadows Community College where she earned a nomination for the Teacher of the Year Award.

"I would like to thank Governor Jim Gibbons for the honor and the privilege to serve as County Commissioner to District 3. I would also like to thank the Honorable Pete Sferrazza for the excellent work he has performed as former Commissioner of District 3 and hope to continue his outstanding record," said Kitty Jung. "Finally, I look forward to working with the Washoe County Commissioners, the City of Reno and the City of Sparks in continuing their excellent work at improving Northern Nevada. I welcome this opportunity to represent the citizens of District 3 and shall do my best to listen and be available to those I serve."