Rivera Named Colo. Insurance Commissioner

NU Online News Service, April 21, 7:59 p.m.EDT?Colorado Republican Gov. Bill Owens has named hissenior policy adviser David Rivera to be the state's insurancecommissioner.[@@]

Mr. Rivera, 34, has served in the governor's administration forthe past four years, advising on auto insurance, education issuesand health care.

The announcement Tuesday from the governor's office said hisprior background also includes serving as manager of advocacy forthe American Heart Association and as coordinator of public policyissues for the American Academy of Actuaries.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Mr. Rivera replaces Doug Dean, the former Assembly speaker, whowas recently appointed director of the Colorado Public UtilitiesCommission.

Mr. Owens said that Mr. Rivera "shaped and helped fight forimportant and needed insurance reforms."

"David has been a national leader in the concept ofconsumer-directed health insurance which gives patients a strongervoice in their care and, as a result, reduces health insurancecosts, particularly in Medicaid," he said.