Hawai‘i Health Connector Announces Leadership Transition Tom Matsuda Named Interim Executive Director

News Release from Hawai'i Health Connector November 22, 2013

The Hawai‘i Health Connector today announced the appointment of Tom Matsuda, current Affordable Care Act implementation manager with the Governor’s office, as interim executive director. He will begin his new role on December 9. Coral Andrews will resign as the nonprofit’s executive director, effective December 6.

A search for a permanent executive director by the board of directors is now under way and Andrews is assisting the board with the transition to the interim executive director.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Coral for her service to the Hawai‘i Health Connector during a critical time and against a very challenging backdrop,” said board chair Sherry Menor-McNamara. “Coral played a key role in building the Hawai‘i Health Connector, securing funding, and building a network of public and private stakeholders throughout the state. During all that work, she never lost sight of our vision – the Hawai‘i Health Connector is of Hawai‘i and for Hawai‘i.”

“I am honored to have been a part of implementing part of the Affordable Care Act for the people of Hawai‘i,” Andrews said. “The Hawai‘i Health Connector has some of the most dedicated people I have ever had the honor of working with. Hawai‘i is in good hands with this talented group as they continue the mission of delivering access to health care for all Hawai‘i residents.”

“The board is now proceeding with securing a permanent executive director to lead us into the next phase of the Hawai‘i Health Connector to ensure ongoing access to healthcare for Hawai‘i’s people,” Menor-McNamara said. “I would also like to express the board’s appreciation to Tom for ensuring a smooth transition until a new executive director is named.”

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About the Hawai‘i Health Connector

The Hawai‘i Health Connector is the online health insurance marketplace for Hawai‘i. The Connector was established as a non-profit organization in 2011 by the Hawai‘i State Legislature through Act 205, in order to comply with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010. The Connector’s aim is an online marketplace that is of Hawai‘i-for-Hawai‘i, one that takes into account the State’s unique culture and works with the Prepaid Health Care Act, an employer mandate for health insurance coverage in effect since 1974. For more information, visit www.Hawai‘iHealthConnector.com.

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NYT: Head of Hawaii Insurance Exchange Steps Down

BACKGROUND:

Obamacare Hawaii: 170,000 Policies Cancelled, 257 people sign up

Hawaii Health Exchange Sign Ups Cost Taxpayers $778K each