Director of Mass. Health Connector Authority steps down

Jon Kingsdale, the executive director of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, the state agency that helps people in Massachusetts find health insurance, is leaving his job, Gov. Deval Patrick" announced Thursday, the Boston Herald reports. Glen Shor, the assistant secretary for health care policy in Massachusetts' Executive Office for Administration and Finance, will replace Kingsdale (McConville, 4/15).

The Boston Globe's White Coat Notes: In a statement, Patrick said Kingsdale was "a tremendous asset in our efforts to expand health care coverage to all Massachusetts residents."

"'Jon has done a great job during his tenure with the Connector and has helped put Massachusetts on the map as a leader in expanding health care coverage,' Board chairman and Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez said in a statement. Kingsdale, who has spent more than 30 years working in the health care industry, will leave his post on June 4" (Lazar, 4/15).

Boston Business Journal: In a letter to the Connector board, Kingsdale wrote that he was leaving "with a mixture of pride in our achievements and sorrow at saying good-bye to a truly exceptional team. The Board has been consistently constructive in governing this enterprise, building broad support for Massachusetts healthcare reform, and guiding the staff. My management team is the most dedicated, creative and competent assemblage of talent that I could wish for. They are now my good friends as well, and I will truly miss working with them." Though Kingsdale "did not indicate what he plans to do next ... a memo sent to several of the state's health plans and other stakeholders said that Kingsdale was headed for Washington to help the Obama Administration implement its newly approved health reform law" (Donnelly, 4/15).