Texas Health Insurer Cleared of Spying Charges

The Texas Attorney General has wrapped up an investigation into a major health insurer, Superior HealthPlan. The probe looked into claims that the company had been spying on lawmakers, patients, and whistleblowers. After seven weeks of digging, the Attorney General found no wrongdoing. The investigation started after a Texas House committee chairman accused the company of hiring a private investigator to gather confidential information during a lawsuit a few years back. The Attorney General's office stated that the company's actions did not break any laws. They found no evidence that the firm hired by Superior HealthPlan engaged in any surveillance activities, like following people or taking photos. The investigation also did not find any proof that the company collected private health care information. The Attorney General said that the company's activities involved gathering publicly available documents. This does not violate Texas law. The company's CEO, Mark Sanders, was fired after the allegations surfaced in a heated House committee hearing. The committee was formed to look into government waste, fraud, and abuse. Superior HealthPlan's parent company, Centene, expressed relief at the investigation's swift conclusion. They stated that the company is committed to transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, new legislation inspired by this episode is heading to Governor Greg Abbott's desk. The bill aims to ban surveillance and spying by state contractors. It would prohibit contractors from using third parties to engage in surveillance, intimidation, or similar conduct against state lawmakers, employees, or whistleblowers. The bill also creates a confidential hotline and online portal for complaint submissions. Violators could face hefty penalties and be banned from seeking state contracts for years. The bill defines undue influence as using power, position, or information to manipulate decisions. It also excludes social media monitoring and collecting publicly available information from acts considered illegal. The state auditor's office would have 90 days to determine if a violation occurred. They could refer the matter to the Texas Rangers if a criminal offense is suspected. First-time violators could face immediate termination of state contracts and a penalty of up to $500, 000. Penalties could increase to $2 million in cases involving undue influence or misuse of private information. Superior HealthPlan has been delivering Medicaid insurance to low-income Texans for decades. The company is a national for-profit managed care organization based in Austin. The investigation into Superior HealthPlan has sparked a broader conversation about privacy and ethics in the healthcare industry. As the bill awaits the governor's decision, the future of surveillance and spying by state contractors hangs in the balance. The outcome could have significant implications for both the healthcare industry and the state's contracting processes.