FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn. -The MNsure Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Allison O'Toole as interim chief executive officer upon the resignation of Scott Leitz, who is leaving MNsure to join the Health Care Cost Institute as chief transformation officer. The change will become effective May 22, 2015.

"Scott was the right leader at the right time for MNsure. He successfully stabilized and dramatically improved MNsure, built an effective team that works across agencies, and created a strong culture of accountability and transparency," said MNsure Board Chair Brian Beutner. "As a board, we are very grateful to Scott for his contributions at MNsure. Hundreds of thousands of people who otherwise wouldn't have the security of affordable health insurance now do because of his work."

Beutner continued, "As a member of MNsure's senior leadership team, and with experience managing large, complex organizations, Allison was the board's unanimous choice to serve as interim CEO. She is a tireless and strategic leader who has built strong partnerships in our community. She is an independent and creative problem solver who understands MNsure's complexities. As the insurance landscape in Minnesota continues to grow and evolve, Allison's experience in building a culture of accountability and transparency will serve MNsure and the state well."

"I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to lead MNsure and serve Minnesotans during the past 16 months," said Leitz. "I'm pleased that we have improved MNsure for all Minnesotans, and that MNsure is now a sustainable and stable organization. I want to thank the MNsure board, the staff at MNsure, and our various partners-the health plans, counties, brokers, navigators, our sister agencies and many others for helping achieve an over 40 percent reduction in the uninsured and covering hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans."

"MNsure is fortunate to have some of the hardest working staff of any organization I've ever been part of," said Allison O'Toole, MNsure interim CEO. "Challenges remain, but we have made significant progress in the last year. I am committed to ensuring as many Minnesotans as possible have access to affordable, comprehensive health care, and I look forward to leading MNsure through this transition period."

Prior to this promotion, O'Toole served as the deputy director for external affairs, leading MNsure's public-facing efforts in marketing and communications, state and federal government affairs, navigator and broker relations, and external stakeholder partnerships.

"Scott's leadership and reputation in health care policy has helped to stabilize and drive improvements at MNsure," said Jim Schowalter, president and CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. "It's no secret that much work remains. But Allison's thoughtful leadership and history of building meaningful partnerships will be an asset as we work together to ensure all Minnesotans have excellent, affordable health care for years to come."

About Allison O'Toole

Allison O'Toole was appointed MNsure interim CEO on May 4, 2015. As CEO, O'Toole oversees an annual budget of nearly $50 million and more than 150 staff.

Previously, O'Toole served as the deputy director for external affairs and oversaw MNsure's public-facing departments including Marketing and Communications, State and Federal Government Affairs, Navigator and Broker Relations and was MNsure's staff liaison to the board of directors. She was responsible for the implementation of the second phase of MNsure's multi-million dollar marketing campaign, developed the strategic overhaul of the MNsure outreach and enrollment grants program, initiated the widely successful broker Lead Agency program and helped lead MNsure's efforts for greater public accountability and transparency.

Prior to her roles at MNsure, O'Toole was a director at Himle Rapp, a Minneapolis-based public affairs firm and state director for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. O'Toole also brings legal experience as a former chief deputy county attorney for Carver County and as assistant county attorney for Hennepin County. Early in her career, she spent years working in state government building coalitions around statewide public health initiatives.

O'Toole graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, with a bachelor's degree in government. She earned her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN.

As of May 2014, 95 percent of Minnesotans have health coverage--the highest percentage in state history. The 2016 open enrollment period is scheduled to begin November 1, 2015, and end on January 31, 2016.