SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has announced Liana Bailey-Crimmins as its new Chief Information Officer. In the role, she will lead the Information Technology Division and guide innovation across enrollment platforms, strengthen data security, and improve the digital tools that connect consumers, certified enrollers, health plans, and other partners to the services that support coverage for Californians.
Bailey-Crimmins is a visionary executive leader and respected public-sector technology executive with more than 38 years of California state service. Nationally recognized for her expertise in large-scale IT portfolio management, cybersecurity, healthcare administration and emerging technology, she has consistently streamlined complex operations and built impactful public-private partnerships.
“Liana brings an exceptional combination of statewide technology leadership, health care expertise, and a deep commitment to public service,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “Her appointment strengthens Covered California’s goals of delivering secure, reliable, and intuitive digital tools, and her leadership will help fulfill our mission of expanding access to high-quality, affordable health care.”
Most recently, Bailey-Crimmins served as State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the California Department of Technology (CDT), where she led approximately 1,000 full-time employees and managed a $3.17 billion annual budget. In that role, she provided strategic counsel to the Governor while aligning technology strategy across 12 executive agencies and roughly 150 state departments. Her leadership accelerated California’s groundbreaking adoption of generative AI, including development of the state digital assistant, Poppy, and strengthened statewide digital equity and broadband initiatives designed to close the digital divide.
Bailey-Crimmins’ public service career includes senior leadership roles across California’s health and benefits ecosystem. At the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, she served as Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Health Director, and Chief Information Officer, bringing enterprise-wide security, technology, and healthcare leadership to one of the nation’s most complex public benefit organizations. She oversaw $9.2 billion in health benefits and a $4.6 billion long-term care program serving millions of members, while helping CalPERS achieve historically low healthcare rate increases through advanced data, value-based insurance design, and reference-pricing strategies that lowered out-of-pocket costs.
“Throughout my career, my north star has been using technology to improve the human experience and protect access to vital services for the people of California,” said Bailey-Crimmins. “Covered California plays a life-changing role in helping families across the state access quality, affordable health care, and does so by leading the way with technology and an innovative spirit. I am honored to join this team and help build an even more resilient, secure, and intuitive digital experience for Californians.”
Bailey-Crimmins has also served as IT director and chief information officer for California Correctional Health Care Services, where she directed an $800 million health care transformation portfolio supporting clinical and administrative services for 85,000 patients across 38 statewide locations. She successfully delivered turnaround-plan projects significantly under budget while improving patient safety.
She was recently honored as one of the “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers” (2026), received the GovTech Excellence in Leadership Award (2026), was named the GoldenGov: State Executive of the Year (2025), and received the inaugural Public Sector AI 50 Award (2025).
Bailey-Crimmins is replacing Kevin Cornish, who stepped down in June 2026, after serving in the position since June 2020. She will earn $260,004 annually, effective Sept. 29, 2026.
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.