Lamont Appoints New State Healthcare Advocate

Kathleen Unger Holt, former associate director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, has received Gov. Ned Lamont’s nomination to serve as state healthcare advocate, the governor’s office announced in a Wednesday press release.

As a leader of the Medicare policy nonprofit, Holt helped develop healthcare policy on a state and federal basis. The governor said that experience would serve Connecticut well as Holt steps into her new advocacy role.

“I am very excited that Kathy Holt has accepted our offer to serve as Connecticut’s next healthcare advocate because she has an incredible amount of experience, both here in our state and on a national level, in helping people access the coverage they need and advocating on their behalf, especially for people who are older, people who have disabilities, and people who frequently face barriers to obtaining health insurance,” Lamont said.

Holt, who was raised in Newtown and began her career working for Bloomfield-based insurance provider Cigna, said she was excited to begin working to ensure Connecticut residents had access to affordable healthcare.

“In addition to assisting individuals obtain access to healthcare services, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate represents the collective voice of all Connecticut patients,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating with healthcare providers, insurers, employers, other state agencies, and state and federal legislators to coordinate, deliver, oversee, and improve healthcare in Connecticut, making Connecticut a healthcare model for the country.”

Although Holt will serve on an interim basis beginning Sept. 30, her nomination will require approval from state lawmakers after the 2025 legislative session begins in January. Her nomination comes with a recommendation from the Healthcare Advocate Advisory Committee, a panel of legislative appointees tasked with evaluating candidates for the position.

Holt earned praise from Sen. Saud Anwar, a South Windsor Democrat who co-chairs the Public Health Committee. In a Wednesday statement, Anwar said he looked forward to working with Holt on issues impacting Connecticut patients.

“Her experience advocating for Medicare and quality healthcare for our older populations and people with disabilities will be valuable and I know she will be focused on fixing issues patients face in getting care,” Anwar said. “Her career has spanned a variety of professional and legal roles in the healthcare industry and I’m confident that her breadth of knowledge will benefit many in our state.”

Holt is poised to take over the advocate position from Sean King, the office’s general counsel, who has been serving as an interim basis since last year, following the departure of former advocate Ted Doolittle. Doolittle left the position to accept a nomination as a federal immigration judge.

Posted By Hugh McQuaid