FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Today, MNsure announced the appointment of Katie Burns as the organization's new deputy director of operations and chief operating officer. Burns previously held the role of policy and plan management director.

Burns comes to the position with 15 years of experience in health and human services policy, financing and market transparency. Previously, Burns worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as several other state agencies, including the Minnesota Departments of Management and Budget, Human Services and Health. Burns' vast level of experience includes extensive collaboration with MNsure's health insurance company partners, performance measurement for health and human service programs, Medicaid policy and financing issues, and leading implementation of health care quality and cost transparency initiatives in Minnesota's 2008 state health reform law. She has worked at MNsure for almost three years.

"I am deeply honored to be selected for this position," said Burns. "I strongly believe in our mission of ensuring Minnesotans have access to quality, affordable health insurance coverage. I look forward to the challenges of my new role and making improvements to our system."

Burns was selected through a competitive interview process that included national candidates. In her new role, Burns will oversee operational policies and priorities, including: commercial and public program operations, measurement and reporting, and customer service.

"Katie is an invaluable part of the MNsure team, and we are indeed fortunate that her institutional knowledge will continue to benefit MNsure and Minnesotans," said CEO Scott Leitz. "Through the leadership Katie has shown during her time with the organization, more than 278,000 Minnesotans have already enrolled through MNsure. I am extremely happy to welcome Katie to this new role and look forward to working with her."

"I am pleased to have Katie in this role," said MNsure Board Chair Brian Beutner. "Her depth of experience with MNsure and proven leadership will benefit the organization immediately as we continue to improve MNsure to further drive down the rate of uninsured in Minnesota."

Since the launch of MNsure, 278,022 Minnesotans have enrolled in quality, affordable coverage through MNsure. 164,866 are enrolled in Medical Assistance, 60,060 in MinnesotaCare and 53,096 in a Qualified Health Plan. Between September 30, 2013, and May 1, 2014, the number of uninsured Minnesotans fell by 40.6%, a record low.