New Jersey Association of Health Plans Announces New Board Officers and New Director of Government Affairs

Trenton, NJ, January 11, 2024:  The New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP) announced today that the NJAHP Board has voted on a new slate of executive board members for 2024, and has appointed Alex Arnold as the organization’s new Director of Government Affairs.

John Fuller of Horizon has been elected Chair of the Board. The NJAHP board officers are as follows:

1. 1. Chair – John Fuller, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
   2. Vice Chair – Alison Birzon, Cigna
   3. Secretary – Jill Squiers, AmeriHealth
   4. Treasurer – Pat Gillespie, Wellpoint
   5. Legislative Chair – Mishael Azam, UnitedHealth Group
   6. Medicaid Chair – Brendan Peppard, Fidelis Care NJ
   7. Dental Chair – Alicia Palombo, Aetna

John Fuller has served on the NJAHP board since 2022. He is currently Director of Government Affairs at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, where he represents Horizon BCBSNJ before the New Jersey Legislature and various New Jersey departments and agencies. Prior to his current role, John 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.”

Before joining Horizon BCBSNJ, John served as Assistant Commissioner for Legislation, Regulation and Multi-modal Services at the New Jersey Department of Transportation, served on the Motor Vehicle Commission, and was a top aide to United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg upon his return to the Senate in 2003. He is also a veteran of numerous political campaigns and has been on staff of multiple committees in the New Jersey State Assembly.

In other NJAHP news, Alex Arnold recently joined NJAHP as Director of Government Affairs. In his role, Alex 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,” said Sanders.

“I am excited and honored to be a part of NJAHP during a period when our state is actively working to make quality healthcare accessible and more affordable for the working families of New Jersey,” said Alex. “I look forward to working with our member plans to bolster and sustain this crucial effort.”

Prior to the NJAHP, Alex worked in Public Affairs for Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G). Before that, he worked as an aide for Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Alex earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University in Political Science and minor in Labor Studies, while attaining Summa Cum Laude honors. Alex also completed the Undergraduate Associates Program in Politics and Government from the Eagleton Institute of Politics, during which time he interned for Governor Phil Murphy, then-Assemblyman Jack Citarelli, and then-Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck.

Alex was born and raised in Monmouth County and currently resides in Freehold.

About the New Jersey Association of Health Plans

The New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP) is a non-profit association created to serve its member health plans with a mission of fostering understanding in the value that health plans contribute to New Jersey’s health care system.

Among other ways, NJAHP does this by:

• informing the public about our philosophy and the value proposition offered by commercial and Medicaid health plans;
• educating policy makers, regulators, and opinion leaders on the implications of specific policy proposals;
• promoting collaborative efforts among health plans, providers, purchasers, brokers, and consumers to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care;
• acting as a resource for interested parties on New Jersey’s health care system; and
• promoting opportunities and forums for health plan members and business partners to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss critical issues affecting health care in the State.

NJAHP’s members, which cover over seven million New Jersey residents, include: Aetna,  AmeriHealth New Jersey, Brighton Health Plan Solutions, Cigna, Fidelis Care NJ, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Oscar, UnitedHealth Group, and Wellpoint.

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