|
The Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare
Benefits Administration (PWBA) today announced the appointment of Daniel J.
Maguire as director of the newly created Office of Health Plan Standards and
Compliance Assistance.
As director of the health office, Maguire is
responsible for overseeing the development of regulations, interpretive
bulletins, opinions, forms, and rulings relating to health care portability,
non-discrimination requirements and other related health provisions. In
addition, he will ensure that the functions relating to training, technical
assistance and guidance on health benefits are carried out for PWBA staff
nationwide.
Alan D. Lebowitz, deputy assistant secretary of
operations for PWBA, noted that "health care is one of the top issues for
Americans. With heightened public prominence has come an expanded role for the
department in the health field. We have seen the laws we oversee grow from a
few basic rules governing private-sector health plans to jurisdiction over four
major laws enacted since 1996."
"Dan is uniquely qualified to lead our team of
health professionals to help the agency meet its growing health benefit
responsibilities. He has an extensive legal background and has shown exemplary
leadership skills in managing both human resources and the functions associated
with our health care mission."
Since 1996, Maguire had headed PWBA's Health Care
Task Force which was the predecessor to the newly create office. The task force
provided technical expertise relating to legislative, policy and regulatory
issues.
Before joining PWBA, Maguire served for 14 years
in the Office of the Solicitor’s Plan Benefits Security Division in
Washington, D.C. While there he provided legal advice and technical skills in
developing regulations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA) and participated in shaping many of the recently enacted health care
laws, the rules implementing those laws and health reform legislation.
ERISA gives PWBA regulatory and enforcement
authority over 2.5 million private-sector group health plans covering 125
million participants nationwide. Besides ERISA, PWBA has responsibility for
administering the group health provisions of the:
- Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA);
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act;
- Newborns and Mothers' Health Protection Act;
- Mental Health Parity Act; and
- Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act.
Maguire holds a J.D. degree from California
Western School of Law. He has received numerous awards, including the
Secretary's Exceptional Achievement Award for the development of regulations,
legislation and litigation involving multiple employer welfare plans and health
care reform.
A native of Atlantic City, N.J., Maguire resides
in Herndon, Va. He is married to Anne Maguire and the father of Daniel, age 13
and Kathleen, age 16. |
