Scott hires cost-cutter to head state procurement agency
by Dara Kam | January 21st, 2011Gov. Rick Scott brought on fellow health care executive Jack Miles to head the Department of Management Services, an agency the governor has blasted for wasting taxpayer money.
Miles oversaw contract management and purchasing at CIGNA, one of the nation’s biggest health insurers. Scott founded and was formerly CEO of the Columbia/HCA hospital chain and owns Solantic, a chain of health care centers.
Miles slashed spending at CIGNA by $80 million in less than two years, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office announcing the appointment.
“State government has to learn to live within its means, and Jack Miles will make sure that our state spends taxpayer dollars more wisely as we tighten the belt across the entire government,” Scott said in a statement.
Scott will put Miles to work reviewing contracts to see where the state can “reduce costs and increase efficiency,” the release reads.
Scott’s office is now analyzing every state agency contract worth more than $1 million. He said earlier this week he’s looking at saving money on state purchases as a way to plug a $3.62 billion budget deficit.
Tags: CIGNA, Department of Management Services, DMS, Jack Miles, Rick Scott, state agencies, state budget, state contracts, state purchasing
January 21st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Paragraphs 1 & 2 could use an extra proofread, please.
January 21st, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I wonder if Mr. Miles knows Wendell Potter. Wendell has been on many news shows revealing how evil and deceptive CIGNA was when he worked there. Get ready for the disease plagues and “death panels” FLORIDIANS!!!
January 21st, 2011 at 4:34 pm
crooks hiring crooks. good job t-baggers
January 21st, 2011 at 5:06 pm
wondering and again must be people who were selling stuff to the state/taxpayers at inflated prices. too bad for them.
January 21st, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Another health care industry crook. This is already the most corrupt state administration in Florida history. Let the pillage of our state begin. If we had honest white collar penalties, Scott would be in prison for healthcare and securities fraud. He was allowed to pay a huge fine instead of prison.
January 21st, 2011 at 5:40 pm
This is a great hire by the Governor. Cut and Cut and Cut some more. Cut state worker jobs too. Lazy slug state workers are bleeding the system dry.
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:12 am
There are good and bad employees in both private and public sectors. This governor is still a criminal; hopefully our great state survives.