The Benson administration says State health and Human Services Commissioner Nick Vailas?s has scuttled his plan to start an insurance company.. But yesterday, the Governor?s office seemed less certain about the future of Commissioner Vailas?s connection to another non-government business interest.
When Governor Benson tapped Nick Vailas to be New Hampshire?s health and Human Services commissioner, he expressed confidence that Vailas would the use private sector know how to improve state government. Vailas, after all had founded and run Bedford?s Ambulatory Surgical Center??an alternative to traditional in-patient hospital care.
?I have to tell you I think all of state government needs some fresh thinking and a new approach?..that?s why I?m particularly fond of Nick Vailas as a change agent to come into health and human services?..He?s a person who quote, ?thinks outside the box.?
And since taking office, Vailas has certainly defied convention??.and not just with the apparently shelved insurance concern??. Since March 15th, Commissioner Vailas has been serving on the board of the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers -- a national lobby group that represents that industry before congress. Valias presently co-chairs the association?s political action committee. Governor Benson said yesterday that he was unaware Valias?s had ties to a national lobbying group??And though Benson stopped plenty short of calling Vailas?s dual obligations a conflict of interest??the Governor did indicate that state service shouldn?t leave much room for anything else.
?Let me say that I think working for the state is at least a full time job and maybe more??And that I personally don?t have a lot of time to do a lot of other things on the side because because I?m so busy being governor?..And I happen to think that full time jobs of the employees of the state are full time jobs.?
The Amercian Association of ambulatory surgery centers says it?s well aware that Vailas? state duties might reduce the time he can spend doing industry business. Craig Jefferies is the triple-A -S- C?s executive director. He says Vailas?s potentially divided loyalty is a trade off the association didn?t hesitate to accept.
?On the one had we are delighted he has the support of the governor?.On the other hand it limits his ability to participate in all of the activities the triple -ASC does?.although he does a fantastic job balancing those responsibilities.?
But some local observers are less than convinced.
?I?m shocked that he hasn?t realized that this constitutes a very serious conflict of interest.?
Former Democratic State senator Katie Wheeler serves on New Hampshire?s certificate of need board ? the state body that regulates the construction of new medical facilities. She says a heath and human services commissioner needs to stay well clear of any lobby group with a specific health care agenda.
?I think he should either resign as commissioner or resign from being head of the political action committee for this national ambulatory surgical centers??..He really can?t do everything?..?
There is, however, some indication, Valias is doing what he can to consolidate his various responsibilities. ?.. The ambulatory surgery association website directs members to reach Vailas via a Health and Human services department fax machine??.Dr. Jim Squires??is head of NH?s endowment for health. Squires says Valias?s apparent use of state resources to conduct trade association business is simply wrong??and says Vailas?s conduct can only cast doubt on any future state agency interaction with the ambulatory surgery industry.
?Particularly now that the state is going to become self-insured??they may, meaning the executive branch may want to steer some patients to ambulatory surgery centers?..And I think it would take an awful lot of explaining to get people to understand that this had absolutely nothing to do with his present responsibilities.?
Commissioner Nick Vailas did not return several phone calls seeking comment on this story.
