Idaho keeps non-profit health insurance exec salaries secret; lawmakers may target exemption

Unlike most surrounding states, Idaho makes the salaries paid to CEOs, top executives and board members at its non-profit health insurers a secret – the companies have to report the salaries to the state Department of Insurance, but they’re exempt from disclosure under the Idaho Public Records Law. Idaho Statesman reporter Audrey Dutton reports today that lawmakers have targeted the exemption twice in the last few years without success, and are considering proposing legislation again this year.

Former state Sen. Charles Coiner, R-Twin Falls, who sponsored an unsuccessful bill to lift the exemption in 2009, told Dutton, “If you’re holding yourself out as a nonprofit, there should be daylight and clarity on how you’re operating. It bothered me that Blue Cross — I have no idea what they were paying their board, I have no idea what they were paying their executives. … We shouldn’t have these little enclaves of special privileges for certain nonprofits. It should be a level playing field for all nonprofits.” Dutton’s full report is online here .