New Jersey Has a New Commissioner

Last week Governor Christie nominated Dr. Poonam Alaigh as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Dr. Alaigh currently serves as Executive Director for quality and care management at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Prior to joining Horizon, Dr. Alaigh was National Medical Director for GlaxoSmithKline. Her nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. Governor Christie’s transition team released 19 reports prepared by transition subcommittees charged with the task of examining and offering recommendations on the various state departments and agencies. Subcommittee reports for the Departments of Banking & Insurance and Health & Senior Services call attention to the billing practices of out-of-network providers, specifically citing ambulatory surgery centers and Bayonne Hospital. Additionally, they note the current regulatory environment in New Jersey is not likely to attract new insurers to the marketplace.

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