For Immediate

Contact: Kathleen Tallarita

August 26, 2014

Phone: 860.757.5339

GOV. MALLOY, LT. GOV. WYMAN APPLAUD APPOINTMENT OF ACCESS HEALTH CT CEO KEVIN COUNIHAN TO FEDERAL MARKETPLACE

U.S. Dept. Of Health and Human Services Announces New Federal Marketplace CEO

(HARTFORD, CT) - Today, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman announced that Access Health CT CEO Kevin Counihan has accepted a position as Marketplace CEO overseeing the federal and state Marketplace in Washington. As the new CEO, Counihan will be responsible and accountable for leading the federal Marketplace, managing relationships with state marketplaces, and running the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), which regulates health insurance at the federal level.

"Kevin and his team have done a tremendous job ensuring Connecticut residents have access to high-quality healthcare. We are proud of what we've accomplished here-we're a national leader with more than 280,000 people enrolled in affordable health insurance," said Lt Governor Wyman, Chair of the Access Health CT Board. "Kevin's move to Washington is a loss for the state, but I know he'll bring his strong commitment and considerable skill to his new role, and that is good for the nation. The Access Health Board wishes Kevin all the best in his new role, and we thank the dedicated team at Access Health CT for their continued focus on bringing affordable healthcare to Connecticut residents."

"Kevin's appointment is a ringing endorsement of the success we've had implementing the Affordable Care Act in Connecticut," said Governor Malloy. "Since we launched Access Health CT, we've cut Connecticut's uninsured rate in half in this state and nearly 140,000 previously uninsured people now have coverage. We're very proud of Kevin and sad to see him go, but know that the team in place will continue working hard to provide quality, affordable health care coverage to even more Connecticut residents."

"It is an honor to be selected for this position and I look forward to the challenge ahead," said CEO Counihan "For the past two years, I've been fortunate to work with incredible people at Access Health CT. The success we've had here is due to the team we've put together and the guidance and direction we received from Lieutenant Governor Wyman, Governor Malloy and the Access Health Board. My sincere thanks to the entire team for their hard work and dedication. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the people of Connecticut in this role."

Connecticut is recognized as a leader in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and nine states are working with Access Health on the exchange technology. Connecticut was also the first state to surpass the goal for Affordable Care Act enrollees. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projected that Connecticut would enroll 33,000 consumers in private insurance plans, a target that was exceed in December 2013 and more than doubled in the final tally. During the 2014 open enrollment period, Access Health CT has enrolled 256,666 Connecticut residents in health care coverage.

Counihan will step down from Access Health CT effective Friday, September 5th. The Access Health Board will announce an interim CEO for Access Health within a few days.

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