Regents Receive Legislative Audit Bureau's Report on Partnership Program

State Auditor Janice Mueller presented to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents the results of the Legislative Audit Bureau's audit of the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) at their June meeting. The audit was also presented to the Wisconsin United for Health Foundation, Inc., at their July meeting with a follow-up meeting scheduled in August.

The Wisconsin Partnership Program is pleased with the report's key findings, which show that the WPP is well aligned with the vision set forth by the Order of the State Insurance Commissioner.

The audit evaluated the Wisconsin Partnership Program's administrative and grants management procedures as well as examining 40 selected grants. Among the Legislative Audit Bureau's findings were:

• Most of the 40 grants reviewed show that awardees met or are on target to meet all or most of their objectives
• Spending by the 40 grant programs reviewed was found to be allowable
• Polices, processes, and requirements instituted by the Wisconsin Partnership Program provide for effective grant monitoring and management

The Legislative Audit Bureau conducted the audit at the request of the Wisconsin Partnership Program. The Program was created with funds resulting from the conversion of Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin to for-profit status. As a condition of the Insurance Commissioner's Order, program and financial audits are required every five years.

The Wisconsin Partnership Program is implementing revised grant monitoring and management procedures and clarifying its conflict of interest policy, based on the Legislative Audit Bureau's recommendations. The WPP, the Wisconsin United for Health Foundation and the Commissioner of Insurance are discussing the Audit Bureau's recommendations to the Commissioner regarding clarifying certain aspects of the Order.