Press Release: DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority Appoints Mila Kofman As Executive Director

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Contact: Linda Boyd (202) 741.5201; 351.9777; linda.wharton-boyd@dc.gov

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HEALTH INSURANCE EXPERT MILA KOFMAN

CHOSEN TO SERVE AS DC HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Former Maine Superintendent of Insurance Brings a Wealth of Health Policy and Insurance Experience

(Washington, DC) Today, pursuant to the Health Benefit Exchange Establishment Act, the executive board of the DC Health Benefit Exchange (HBX), voted unanimously to appoint Mila Kofman as the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange. Ms. Kofman, who will begin her duties on January 2, 2013, will manage the HBX’s operations, advance health care reform in the District of Columbia, and recommend strategic priorities.

“We are very fortunate to have Mila Kofman to serve as our Executive Director,” said Dr. Mohammad Akhter, chairman of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority. “Her vast array of experiences in the insurance and health policy arenas will serve us well as she leads us in implementing health care reform and in creating the best health insurance exchange in the country.”

“I am honored to be selected by the Board of Directors and excited about the opportunity to work with government leaders, the regulated community, health care leaders and most of all, the businesses and residents of the District of Columbia to improve the quality of health care through quality affordable health care coverage,” said Mila Kofman. “Together, we can establish a robust and viable health insurance exchange marketplace second to none.”

A nationally recognized expert on private health insurance markets, Kofman was appointed by the former Governor of Maine, John Baldacci, to serve as the Superintendent of Insurance (2008 – 2011), where she regulated a multi-billion dollar insurance industry. Her effective leadership in developing alliances with business groups, the insurance industry, consumer and patient advocates, physicians, trial lawyers and state agencies helped to improve and strengthen Maine’s insurance market for both consumers and businesses.

"As the superintendent of insurance of Maine, Mila Kofman found the right balance between protecting consumers while also promoting a healthy and responsible insurance industry. She has spent much of her career working to expand access to health insurance and will be a strong leader as the District of Columbia works to establish its exchange and implement the Affordable Care Act," Governor Baldacci said.

In addition to serving on the Governor’s Steering committee on health reform implementation, Kofman served in several other key leadership positions, including Secretary –Treasurer of the Northeastern Zone of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), chair of the Health Insurance Regulatory Framework Task Force (2011) and co-chair of the Consumer Information working group of NAIC.

Kofman’s public service includes working at the U.S. Department of Labor (1997-2001), where she implemented health care reform. As special assistant to the Senior Health Care Advisor to the President at the Domestic Policy Council for the White House, Kofman assisted with legislative and regulatory health care reform initiatives including the Patient’s Bill of Rights, long-term care insurance, nursing home reform, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) reform.

Having served in the academic arena, Kofman was an Associate Research Professor and Project Director at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute from 2001 to 2008. She rejoined the faculty as a Research Professor and Project Director in July 2011 following her tenure as Superintendent of Insurance in Maine. In that capacity, she advised states on the Affordable Care Act, reform options, implementation, and establishment of insurance exchanges.

A published author, Kofman’s work includes a report on health insurance scams and articles on state and federal health insurance reforms in peer reviewed journals. She has also served as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases involving health insurance scams and unauthorized insurance, and has testified before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and state legislatures.

Members of both the small business and consumer advocacy communities voiced support for Kofman’s appointment. Terry Gardiner, V.P. Policy and Strategy of the Small Business Majority stated, “The DC Exchange is fortunate to have Mila Kofman leading its insurance exchange establishment. Mila has the insurance experience and background and knows what
consumers and small businesses need to obtain quality affordable health insurance.”

"Mila Kofman is a thoughtful, experienced, health policy professional who would be an ideal leader of the District of Columbia's health exchange. She has the background and consumer-friendly orientation that would make the exchange in D.C. a model for exchanges across the country. We look forward to working with her," said Ron Pollack, Founding Executive Director of Families USA.

Ms. Kofman holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland (summa cum laude). She, her husband and two adopted dogs currently reside in Maryland. Mila Kofman will relocate to the District in the coming months.

For more information about Mila Kofman, please see the attached resume or visit dchbx.com.

-------------------------------------------------------

About the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority - The Executive Board of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX) was established as a requirement of Section 6 of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Act of 2011, effective March 2, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-0094).

The Exchange is the central mechanism created by the health reform bill to help individuals and small businesses purchase health insurance coverage. Beginning in 2014, an Exchange will be established to help consumers make valid comparisons between certified plans that have met benchmarks for quality and affordability. The Exchange will also administer the new health insurance subsidies and facilitate enrollment in private health insurance, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). With more than 93 percent of its residents insured, the District of Columbia is second in the nation for providing health insurance coverage to its residents.

###

Follow us on twitter at @DCHBX. Like on FB at DC Health Benefit Exchange.

Visit us at www.healthcarereform.dc.gov

 

• Mila_Kofman_-_Bio_and_Photo%5B1%5D.pdf