Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee questioned the Obama administration’s recent award of a contract for work on the Affordable Care Act’s healthcare exchange portal, healthcare.gov., in a letter sent on Thursday.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Vice Chairman Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Committee Member Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) were among those who signed a letter requesting information.
Recent reports alleged that Accenture, a management consulting and technology services company, was awarded a $91 million contract to work on healthcare.gov after an “abbreviated” bidding process.
The legislators requested a briefing to explain how Accenture was selected, contract terms, work that has been completed and information about how the company is handling the transition.
“As the American public continues to struggle with the mess that is healthcare.gov, it is our responsibility as leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee to fully understand private companies like Accenture’s role in the federally facilitated marketplace,” Burgess said. “It is our hope that (Accenture Chief Executive of Federal Servies David Moskovitz) will provide his briefing to the committee in a timely manner.”
The legislators requested documents and communications related to Accenture’s work on healthcare.gov. They also requested communications between Accenture and the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Center for Consumer Information and Oversight.