Former Oklahoma Regulator Joins the Blues

Former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland joined the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association as executive director of state affairs, the BCBSA announced.

Holland will assist the 39 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies on implementing health care reform, among other responsibilities.

"States have an increasingly important and influential role in implementing federal health reform," Alissa Fox, BCBSA senior vice president for policy and representation, said in a statement. "Kim's extensive insurance background and health care expertise will be a tremendous asset as Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies work with state officials to implement the law."

Before losing her re-election bid in November, Holland was critical of aspects of the federal Affordable Care Act and was wary of increased federal involvement. However, she worked on implementation issues in her state as well as through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (BestWire, Oct. 25, 2010).

Former Gov. Brad Henry appointed Holland as insurance commissioner in January 2005. She won election to a four-year term in 2006. She also served as secretary-treasurer of the NAIC in 2010.

Consumer representatives have called on the NAIC to tighten its conflict-of-interest policy in order to block what they have referred to as a "revolving door" between regulators and the insurance industry.