Pennsylvania Ponders Election for Insurance Commissioner

A bill that would make the Pennsylvania insurance commissioner an elected position has been introduced in the state’s House of Representatives.

Legislation sponsored by Rep Neal Goodman, a Democrat from Mahanoy City, would change the insurance commissioner’s job from an appointed position. Goodman’s proposal limits an elected commissioner to holding no more than two consecutive, four-year terms. It also prevents a commissioner from holding a position with an insurance company within four years of leaving office.

The legislation, House bill 941, is a slightly modified version of a similar bill introduced during the previous legislative session. The bill — along with a resolution requiring the legislative budget and finance committee to study the financial impact of electing a commissioner — have been referred the insurance committee.
Pennsylvania is not the only Northeast state where lawmakers are weighing whether to make the commissioner an elected position.

In nearby Connecticut — where former Commissioner Thomas Sullivan was heavily criticized for approving significant health insurance rate hikes — legislation has also been introduced to make the commissioner’s job an elected one. The proposal, by Rep. Andrew Fleischman, a Democrat from West Hartford, was introduced in late January.
Only 11 states elect their commissioners. In most cases, chief insurance regulators are appointed either directly by a state’s governor or by a group controlled by a governor.