On May 12, Representative Leitch met at length with Governor Quinn to discuss the HMO problem. The Governor's response is here.
As you can see, he believes he cannot act because he believes his office is constrained by the new procurement code under the purview of the new Executive Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission was “reform” created in the wake of Governor Blagojevich, whose “procurement” scandals are legendary. The intent was to create a third party barrier between the governor and the procurement process.
I agree there have been problems with the new procurement process; obviously, our HMO issue is one. However, there are dozens of other problems throughout state government which have resulted in ludicrous and wastefully expensive delays. My efforts have been frantic in an attempt to craft legislation which would provide for a common sense transition into the new procurement system.
Given the complexity and reluctance by the governor, I do not yet know whether we will be successful.