Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee Named One of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for 2019 by Modern Healthcare

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California is proud to announce that Executive Director Peter V. Lee was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2019’s 100 Most Influential People.

This is Lee’s third consecutive year on the list and the complete rankings are featured in this week’s issue of Modern Healthcare magazine and online. Modern Healthcare says the list “honors individuals in healthcare who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be the most influential individuals in the industry, in terms of leadership and impact.”

The list features prominent elected officials, presidential cabinet members and leaders of prominent healthcare companies and associations.

“Being on this list is truly an honor and speaks to the progress California has made in the Affordable Care Act era,” said Lee, who was ranked No. 66 on the 2019 list. “Covered California is part of a broader approach throughout California to focus on not only making the ACA work for Americans, but to build on it in pursuit of universal coverage.  My influence rests on the foundation of a great team at Covered California, the leadership of the Governor and many other elected officials, and thousands across the state who have leaned in to put consumers first.”

Lee strives for Covered California to be a nimble organization that can properly react to the numerous changes that occur year-to-year in the healthcare industry and keep coverage as accessible and affordable for Californians as possible.

That includes two major changes for consumers in 2020, a new state subsidy program for low- and middle-income Californians that will help lower the cost of coverage for almost 1 million Californians, and the return of the individual mandate which once again makes it the law to have health coverage or face a penalty administered by the Franchise Tax Board when consumers file their 2020 taxes in the spring of 2021.

Lee is currently leading Covered California through its seventh Open Enrollment period, which runs until Jan. 31, with events throughout the state. He was named the exchange’s first executive director in 2011 following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Prior to his current role at Covered California, Lee served as the deputy director for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Washington, D.C. and before that he was the Director of Delivery System Reform for the Office of Health Reform for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Prior positions include serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Business Group on Health and Executive Director of the Center for Health Care Rights.

About Covered California

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.