D.C. insurance commissioner fired after criticizing change to federal health law

Washington, D.C., Insurance Commissioner William White was fired after criticizing changes to the federal healthcare reform law President Barack Obama announced last week. White had issued a statement Thursday suggesting that allowing individuals and small groups to keep current insurance plans that don't meet the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act through 2014 could undermine the law.

“The action today undercuts the purpose of the exchanges, including the District's DC Health Link, by creating exceptions that make it more difficult for them to operate,” White said.

That message had not been vetted with Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray, and White was fired a day later.

According to the Washington Post, White sought to calm the uproar by apologizing for the breach of communications protocol, but failed to save his job. He had served as commissioner for three years.

White was not alone among insurance commissioners in criticizing Obama's announced changes. Washington state's insurance commissioner, for example, issued statement questioning the policy change. The plan was also panned by groups representing the insurance industry and actuaries.

Chester McPherson has been named acting insurance commissioner for Washington, D.C.

Follow Paul Demko on Twitter: @MHPDemko