Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey appointed Michael Caljouw as the new commissioner for the state’s division of insurance (DOI), an agency overseen by the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) within the executive office of economic development.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring a level playing field for businesses and consumers and making our state more affordable for all our residents,” Healey said. “We are excited to have Commissioner Michael Caljouw leading the DOI, where he will oversee one of the leading insurance markets in the country, work to make insurance coverage more affordable and accessible, and tackle growing challenges in the insurance market.”
“As DOI commissioner, Michael Caljouw will ensure equity and integrity in insurance markets and that Massachusetts residents have the unbiased information they need to make decisions about their coverage,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said . “We are thrilled to announce this new leader at DOI, who brings more than 30 years of experience working in the public and private sectors to the agency.”
“Massachusetts is home to a leading insurance sector that contributes billions to the state’s GDP and employs tens of thousands of residents,” Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said . “The DOI plays an important role in overseeing and partnering with the industry to promote a stable and fair insurance market for carriers and consumers, and we are excited to have Commissioner Caljouw at the helm of this vital agency.”
Caljouw comes to DOI with 33 years of industry experience in insurance law and policy, most recently serving as vice president for state and federal government and regulatory affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Previously, he held positions as senior counsel at Holland and Knight; deputy director, chief of staff, and general counsel for OCABR; general counsel for DOI; and as chief of staff and legal counsel for former Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Brian Lees.
During the course of his career in the public and private insurance sectors, Caljouw has led the development of major policy, including Massachusetts’ HMO insolvency and cost containment laws. He was responsible for insurance rate decisions and the review of major insurance mergers and acquisitions across all lines of the insurance business. He led multiple teams across disciplines, mentoring and developing leaders in both policy and insurance markets and working to create a culture of diversity and inclusion.
“I am excited to return to public service under the Healey-Driscoll administration, with a mission of ensuring stable, affordable, and transparent insurance markets and safeguarding consumer interests in Massachusetts,” Caljouw said.
Caljouw serves as the chairman of the board of the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy. He is a former board member of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, and Associated Industries of Massachusetts. He earned his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. cum laude from Suffolk University Law School.