Jon Hager to head Silver State Health Insurance Exchange

Jon Hager has been named to be the first executive director for the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.

He is currently chief financial officer for the Public Employee Benefits Program.

The exchange's board of directors chose Hager unanimously from the list of three finalists for the job.

"The board is pleased and excited to have someone with Jon's experience and enthusiasm to implement and operate a health insurance exchange," said board Chairman Barbara Smith Campbell.

The exchange was created by Senate Bill 440 of the 2011 session to facilitate the purchase of qualified health plans, establish a program to help small employers in Nevada obtain insurance for their employees and make those health plans available to both individuals and businesses beginning in January 2014.

The exchange is charged with implementing provisions of the federal health care act.