ST. PAUL, MN –  Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) released the following statement on the Office of Legislative Auditor’s review of the emergency state contract with two companies, Vault and IBX, to conduct COVID-19 testing:

“This review is a good first step to examining the state’s business relationship with Vault/IBX for testing and vaccination,” Benson said. “It confirmed the billed amounts Vault was sending to state plans for COVID tests was above the list price on their website, and it shows the state’s health plan providers did their part to negotiate the price down to a reasonable level.  

“It remains concerning to me the arrangement with the state includes paying to build out permanent assets for private businesses for testing. I will continue to press for more answers about how MDH handled negotiations with Vault/IBX when other entities were the ones receiving the bills.” 

Read the OLA report on Vault and IBX