Washington Health Benefit Exchange names Jim Crawford interim CEO
Exchange Board to conduct search for permanent CEO Olympia, WA
On Monday, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) Board unanimously named current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jim Crawford as Exchange’s interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 10, 2022, when current CEO Pam MacEwan retires.
Exchange Board Chair Ron Sims issued the following statement regarding Crawford’s appointment:
“The Exchange Board is pleased to announce Jim Crawford as interim CEO. Jim has done an excellent job overseeing budget strategy and finances as CFO for Exchange over the past three years and understands the organization’s culture and the foundation on which it was built. We know he will work closely with Pam during this transition and continue our critical work in bringing health coverage opportunities to all Washingtonians.
“The board was extremely fortunate to have a highly qualified leadership team from which to choose an interim CEO. We thank them for their dedication, advice, and support during this process. I would like to also thank my fellow board members for their due diligence and guidance to arrive at this timely decision.”
During his more than two decades of public service, Crawford has held several senior level positions in state and local government. This includes managing the public finance and state budgeting process as Assistant Director of the Budget Division of Office of Financial Management. He also served as Senior Budget Assistant to the Governor and worked as Assistant Superintendent for Fiscal and Operations of the Olympia School District where he was responsible for budgeting, strategic planning and support services.
As a next step, the Exchange Board will conduct a broad search for a permanent CEO, which is expected to take six months. This timing will enable the organization to continue to deliver on important organizational initiatives including the unwinding of the public health emergency, pursuit of a new 1332 waiver, roll out Cascade Care Savings and start of open enrollment in fall.
Reminders: Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice of 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year.
About Washington Healthplanfinder
Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals and families in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid. The next open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder will begin November 1, 2022. Enrollment reports and data are available from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.
About Washington Apple Health
In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Free or low-cost coverage is available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched in October 2013, more people have access to preventive care, like cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services they need to stay healthy. Apple Health clients enroll and renew online using Washington Healthplanfinder. Apple Health is administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority: www.hca.wa.gov.