The New Jersey Association of Health Plans recently voted in its new slate of executive board members for 2024, with John Fuller of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey elected as chair. Additionally, the Trenton-based nonprofit has appointed Alex Arnold as the organization’s new director of government affairs.
In his new role at NJAHP, Arnold is responsible for advocacy and education on health care issues on behalf of NJAHP member plans. He reports to NJAHP President Ward Sanders.
“Alex is a great addition to our staff, and I look forward to partnering with him to serve our members,” Sanders said.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of NJAHP during a period when our state is actively working to make quality health care accessible and more affordable for the working families of New Jersey,” Arnold said. “I look forward to working with our member plans to bolster and sustain this crucial effort.”
The NJAHP remaining board officers are as follows:
- Vice chair: Alison Birzon, Cigna;
- Secretary: Jill Squiers, AmeriHealth;
- Treasurer: Pat Gillespie, Wellpoint;
- Legislative chair: Mishael Azam, UnitedHealth Group;
- Medicaid chair: Brendan Peppard, Fidelis Care NJ;
- Dental chair: Alicia Palombo, Aetna.
Fuller has served on the NJAHP board since 2022. He is currently director of government affairs at Horizon BCBSNJ, where he represents Horizon BCBSNJ before the New Jersey Legislature and various New Jersey departments and agencies. Prior to his current role, Fuller served as the strategic planning manager and administrative manager for Horizon Healthcare Innovations, a division of Horizon BCBSNJ.
“John’s background in government and health care innovation has served him well in representing Horizon and serving on the NJAHP board. His voice is respected through New Jersey. He will be a great leader for NJAHP,” Sanders said.
“It is an honor to be a part of this important organization, especially at this critical time as New Jersey focuses on retaining health coverage growth in Medicaid and the health insurance exchange,” said Fuller. “I look forward to working with the other NJAHP members to make sure citizens have access to quality, affordable health coverage.”
