NAIC ANNOUNCES 2026 CONSUMER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES

The following information was released by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC):

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recently named 43 consumer liaison representatives for 2026. NAIC Members have long valued the voices of consumer representatives, who provide unique perspectives and insights in the NAIC's proceedings. Regulatory policy work informed by a variety of stakeholders leads to better outcomes for the market and consumers.

Twenty-three of the consumer representatives receive funding from the NAIC to travel and participate in the NAIC's public meetingsa direct investment in consumer feedback unique among financial regulators.

Established in 1992, theConsumer Participation Program promotes awareness of consumer-related issues through interaction with NAIC Members, the insurance industry, and interested parties. The opinions expressed by the consumer representatives who are designated as Individual Consumer Advocates do not necessarily represent the views of their employer/organization.

"The involvement of many unique and informed voices in our state-based system of insurance regulation remains a core strength that helps set our system apart," said NAIC President and Virginia Insurance Commissioner Scott A. White. "As we look ahead to working together to protect consumers in 2026 and beyond, I want to thank our returning consumer representatives and welcome our new participants."

The 2026 Funded Consumer Liaison Representatives (23):

New funded representatives are noted with an asterisk.

Amy Bach: Executive Director, United Policyholders

Kellan Baker: Senior Advisor for Health Policy, Movement Advancement Project

Charles Bell: Programs Director, Advocacy, Consumer Reports

Brendan M. Bridgeland: Director, Center for Insurance Research

Bonnie Burns: Training and Policy Specialist, California Health Advocates

Jalisa Clark:Research Fellow, Georgetown University Law Center on Health Insurance Reforms

Laura Colbert:Executive Director, Georgians for a Healthy Future

Brenda J. Cude: Individual Consumer Advocate, associated with, but not advocating for, The University of Georgia

Michael DeLong: Research and Advocacy Associate, Consumer Federation of America

Shamus Durac:Senior Attorney/Health Policy Analyst, Rhode Island Parent Information Network

Erica Eversman:President, Automotive Education and Policy Institute

Lauren Finke:Senior Director of Policy, The Kennedy Forum

Adam Fox: Deputy Director, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Elizabeth Hagan:Director of State Policy Solutions, United States of Care*

Amy Killelea:Health Policy Lead, Equality Arlington

Peter R. Kochenburger: Individual Consumer Advocate, associated with, but not advocating for, Southern University Law School

Lindsey Murtagh:Individual Consumer Advocate, associated with, but not advocating for, Brown University School of Public Health*

Deborah Steinberg: Senior Health Policy Attorney, Legal Action Center

Harold M. Ting: Individual Health Care Consumer Advocate, not representing or advocating on behalf of an organization

Wayne Turner: Senior Attorney, National Health Law Program

Milo Vieland:Trans Health Law Program Coordinator, Legal Council for Health Justice

Richard Weber:Chief Financial Officer and Co-Founder, Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center

Silvia Yee: Public Policy Director, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

The 2026 Unfunded Consumer Representatives (20):

New representatives noted with an asterisk.

Theresa Alban:Director, Federal Policy and Legal Advocacy, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Ben Anderson:Deputy Senior Policy Director, Families USA*

Cara Cheevers:Vice President of Coverage Policy, Inseparable*

Lucy Culp: Vice President, State Government Affairs, Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)

Deborah Darcy:Senior Director of Government Relations, American Kidney Fund

Jaclyn de Medicci Bruneau:Director of Insurance, Ceres

Eric Ellsworth:Director, Health Data Strategy, Consumers' Checkbook/Center for the Study of Services

Joseph Feldman:President, Cover My Mental Health NFP

Stephanie E. Hengst:Manager, Policy and Research, The AIDS Institute

Marguerite Herman: Board Member, Healthy Wyoming

Brenda Claire Heyison:Senior Policy Analyst Health Insurance and Marketplace Policy, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities

Anna Schwamlein Howard:Policy Principal, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Anna Hyde:Vice President of Advocacy and Access, Arthritis Foundation

Janay Johnson:National Senior Policy Analyst, American Heart Association

Kenneth Klein:Individual Consumer Advocate, associated with, but not advocating for, California Western School of Law

Erin Miller:Deputy Director of Policy, Community Catalyst

Sarah Phillips:Associate Director, Public Policy, The Carter Center*

Carl Schmid II:President and Executive Director, HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute

Jennifer Snow:National Director of Government Relations and Policy, National Alliance on Mental Illness

Brent Walker:Director of Government Relations, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud

About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners

As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. NAIC staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.