(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 US 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 US 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 DC 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.

Read Mila Kofman's biography here.