Austin – Mark Sanders, CEO of Superior Health Plan, was fired from his position following revelation that his company hired a private investigator to collect personal information about clients, journalists and even lawmakers.
The fire came a few days later Sanders testified before a Texas House Committee on the provision of government efficiency.he confirmed that private investigators were hired to monitor individuals, with the goal of revealing sensitive details.
in Statement to Dallas Morning NewsCentene Corporation, the parent company of Superior Healthplan, has expressed disapproval of the actions taken by Sanders.
“The actions highlighted at the Texas House Committee hearing are not reflecting our values or are not a condition of Centene's current leadership,” the statement read. “For this purpose, Mark Sanders is no longer in our organization.”
Following Sanders' testimony, the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton confirmed that an investigation into the matter has begun.
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The controversy broke out during a meeting of the House Committee on the provision of government efficiency. This initially focused on the provincial sourcing process for managed care organizations such as Superior Healthplan. Committee chairman Giovanni Caprion, a Republican from Southlake, quickly confronted Sanders about using taxpayer funds to hire private investigators.
“What we were hoping for is that for health insurance companies, which are funded primarily by Texas taxpayer dollars, I don't think they'll use some of these funds to hire private investigators,” Capriglione said. He pointed to certain instances in which investigators were allegedly hired to worsen the child's condition and pursue a mother whose child was denied medical care.
Sanders acknowledged the practice when Capriglion asked Sanders directly whether investigators were hired to dig into the backgrounds of clients, government officials and even reporters. He explained that the goal is to learn more about the individuals the company has interacted with. This is a justification filled with light corn from representative Matt Tinderholt.
“You wanted leverage and you thought you were going to use it,” replied Tinderholt, adding, “I'll try and investigate me. Do that and bring it.”
In a subsequent press release, Attorney General Paxton's office suggested that the action could amount to a potentially horrifying mail aimed at securing a state contract or avoiding paying legitimate medical claims. Paxton said the investigation would determine whether illegal activities occurred.
Sanders' firing raised great concerns about the ethics of using taxpayer dollars in such practices, particularly when vulnerable individuals seeking health care are involved. As the survey unfolds, many have questioned the wider impact on transparency and accountability within the state's health insurance system.
