Health Insurance Exchange board delays choosing permanent executive director

The board of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange delayed a decision Wednesday on choosing a permanent executive director.

The board did narrow its list of candidates from three to two. It’s still considering applications from Bruce Gilbert, a principal in Texas-based consulting firm HIX Partners, and Dave Haws, Carson City-based administrator for the information development and processing division of the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

It pared local insurance executive James Hooban from consideration. Hooban is president of Independent Nevada Doctors, a local firm that provides medical professional liability insurance for physicians statewide.

The board put off its decision to give Gilbert, who interviewed via Skype, an opportunity to conduct an in-person interview.

The board is scheduled to meet with Gilbert and Haws and make a final decision on June 27.

The exchange has been operating under interim Director Steve Fisher, a deputy in the state Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, since Jon Hager resigned in March as its first executive director.

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com. Follow @J_Robison1 on Twitter.