Joel S. Ario
With 30 years of experience shaping and implementing public health policy at the state and federal levels, Joel Ario provides strategic consulting and analysis on health care policies and institutions, with an emphasis on the evolving role of health insurers in delivering public and commercial coverage under various regulatory frameworks. He represents state governments, health plans, hospitals, foundations and other entities.
Joel's experience includes two decades of leading health insurance reform efforts for state and federal governments. As director of the Office of Health Insurance Exchanges at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, he worked closely with states and other stakeholders to develop the regulatory framework for exchanges, including the rights and responsibilities of states and the federal government in expanding coverage.
On the state level, Joel served as Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and Oregon Insurance Commissioner. He also served on the executive committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and was an NAIC officer.
A well-known speaker on health care reform, Joel serves as an advisor to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in support of its work with states and has written extensively on how the ACA has impacted health insurance markets. Joel is based in Manatt's Albany office.
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Joel S. Ario
With 30 years of experience shaping and implementing public health policy at the state and federal levels, Joel Ario provides strategic consulting and analysis on health care policies and institutions, with an emphasis on the evolving role of health insurers in delivering public and commercial coverage under various regulatory frameworks. He represents state governments, health plans, hospitals, foundations and other entities.
Joel's experience includes two decades of leading health insurance reform efforts for state and federal governments. As director of the Office of Health Insurance Exchanges at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, he worked closely with states and other stakeholders to develop the regulatory framework for exchanges, including the rights and responsibilities of states and the federal government in expanding coverage.
On the state level, Joel served as Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and Oregon Insurance Commissioner. He also served on the executive committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and was an NAIC officer.
A well-known speaker on health care reform, Joel serves as an advisor to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in support of its work with states and has written extensively on how the ACA has impacted health insurance markets. Joel is based in Manatt's Albany office.
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1981
Harvard Divinity School, M.Div., cum laude, 1978
Saint Olaf College, B.A., American Political Experience, 1975
Phi Beta Kappa
Accomplishments
Speaker, “Implications of the Enhanced PTC Expiration on the Rate Review Process,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health and Value Strategies program, April 18, 2025.
Moderator, “Reforming Prior Authorization for Patients and Physicians,” 2023 State Advocacy Summit, American Medical Association, Marana, Arizona, January 14, 2023.
Moderator, “State Departments of Insurance – 2023 Priorities,” 2023 State Advocacy Summit, American Medical Association, Marana, Arizona, January 13, 2023.
Presenter, “Advancing State Cost Growth Benchmarking Programs,” National Association of Health Data Organizations 37th Annual Conference, October 26, 2022.
Speaker, “Health Insurance Reforms and Affordability,” State Policy Seminar: Levers to Address Health Costs, National Conference of State Legislatures, Denver, Colorado, June 6, 2022.
Speaker, “Implementing the No Surprises Act,” Advocacy Insights Webinar Series, American Medical Association, January 20, 2022.
Speaker, “Hot Topic: Implementing the ‘No Surprises Act,’” State Advocacy Summit, American Medical Association, Amelia Island, FL, January 14, 2022.
Panelist, “Insights into Insurance: Your Private Health Coverage Crash Course,” National Conference of State Legislatures, February 19, 2021.
Speaker, “The Next Generation of State Healthcare Cost Benchmarking,” National Association of Health Data Organizations 2020 Conference, August 25, 2020.
Moderator, “COVID-19 Health Data Users Group,” National Association of Health Data Organizations (NAHDO) and Mathematica, May 27, 2020.
Speaker, “Saving American Health Insurance in a Pandemic,” University of Minnesota, Center for Study of Politics and Governance and Humphrey School of Public Affairs, May 27, 2020.
Speaker, “Stabilizing and Strengthening the Affordable Care Act: States Forge Ahead,” AHIP’s 2020 National on the Individual and Small Group Markets, March 19, 2020. *Event canceled due to COVID-19
Panelist, “10 Years of the Affordable Care Act: What Now?” 26th Annual Wharton Health Care Business Conference, February 14, 2020.
Moderator, “2020 State Regulatory Agendas: Conversation With State Insurance Regulators,” American Medical Association State Advocacy Summit, January 10, 2020.
Panelist, “Hot Topic: National Roadmap on State-Level Efforts to End The Opioid Epidemic,” American Medical Association State Advocacy Summit, January 10, 2020.
Speaker, “Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity: Today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities,” National Association of Insurance Commissioners Fall 2019 National Meeting, Austin, TX, December 9, 2019.
Panelist, “The Goals of Health Care Reform,” The Affordable Care Act at 10, New Haven, CT, September 27, 2019.
Panelist, “National Roadmap on State-Level Efforts to End the Opioid Epidemic: Leading-edge Practices and Next Steps,” American Medical Association Special Briefing, September 9, 2019.
Panelist, “Healthcare Reform Dynamics at the State Level,” Council of State Governments Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leader Development, Minneapolis, MN, August 12, 2019.
Speaker, “Ending the Opioid Epidemic: Leading-Edge Responses and Next Steps,” Regulatory Framework Task Force, NAIC Spring Meeting, April 6, 2019.
Moderator, “The Leadership of Regulators in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic,” American Medical Association State Advocacy Summit, January 11, 2019.
Moderator, “A Conversation With State Regulators: Protecting Patients in a Changing Regulatory Environment,” American Medical Association State Advocacy Summit, January 11, 2019.
Speaker, “Public and Private Solutions to Barriers in Health Care Transparency,” National Association of Health Data Organizations Health Care Data Summit 2018, Park City, Utah, Oct. 10, 2018.
Speaker, “Panel Discussion on State Options Regarding Section 1332 Waivers,” Health Care Reform Regulatory Alternatives Working Group, National Association of Insurance Commissioners Summer National Meeting, Boston, MA, Aug. 4.
Panelist, “Whiplash: The Affordable Care Act’s Twisted Path Through Implementation, Litigation, and Reinterpretation,” American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C., July 9.
Speaker, “Farewell Individual Mandate: How the New Individual Market Realities Will Affect Employers,” The ERISA Industry Committee, Washington, D.C., April 11, 2018.
Moderator, “A Conversation With State Regulators: What’s In Store For 2018?” American Medical Association’s 2018 State Legislative Strategy Conference, Fort Myers, FL, January 5, 2018.
Speaker, “State Options for Responding to Federal Changes to the Individual Market,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Webinar, January 4, 2018.
Panelist, “Regulation of the Nongroup Insurance Market,” ASLME and American University Washington College of Law’s Next Steps in Health Reform 2017 Conference, Washington, D.C., October 27, 2017.
Speaker, “Data and Methodological Challenges for §1332 Waiver Evaluations,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Washington, D.C., October 17, 2017.
Speaker, “The Private Individual Insurance Market and the Use of Section 1332 to Provide Flexibility to States,” Bipartisan Policy Center Roundtable, Washington, D.C., September 14, 2017.
Panelist, “Healthcare Markets and Health Policy,” Council of State Governments’ BILLD Leadership Program, Minneapolis, MN, August 14, 2017.
Panelist, “Future of Healthcare: Stabilizing the Individual Insurance Market,” Bipartisan Policy Center Future of Healthcare Series, Washington, D.C., May 31, 2017.
Co-presenter, "Mapping the Healthcare M&A Landscape Under the New Administration," BNA webinar, April 27, 2017.
Speaker, “Insurance Exchanges: Status Report & Finance/Volume Implications,” The Governance Institute Leadership Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, April 24, 2017.
Panelist, “Protecting Consumers and Providers in Rapidly Consolidating Health Care Insurance and Provider Markets,” American Medical Association, 2017 State Legislative Strategy Conference, Amelia Island, FL, January 6, 2017.
Speaker, “Health Care Reform: New Directions in Washington and Minnesota Challenges,” Minnesota State Legislature, One Minnesota Legislative Conference, Minneapolis, MN, January 4, 2017.
Speaker, “Obamacare’s Administrative Law Space: Navigating the Next Frontier,” American Enterprise Institute, Expert Panel, Washington, D.C., December 12, 2016.
Speaker, “Transparency for Consumers and Regulators,” National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Fall National Meeting, December 11, 2016.
Speaker, “Update on the Exchanges,” U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Employee Benefits Committee, Washington, DC, September 28, 2016.
Co-presenter, “The Election’s Impact on Healthcare: Preparing for Potential Scenarios,” PharmaVOICE podcast, September 7, 2016.
CMS Award of Excellence, Center for Medicaid and Children’s Services, September 2011
Excellence in Consumer Advocacy Award, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Consumer Representatives, October 2010
Neil D. Levin Memorial Government Service Award, Israel Bonds, October 2009
Co-author, “Emerging Opportunities for State-Based Marketplaces (SBMs),” a policy paper written with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, April 2024.
Co-author, “1332 Waivers for State Innovation,” a 50 State Survey prepared for Manatt on Health, June 20, 2023.
Quoted, “States jump into fight over prior authorization requirements,” Axios, January 27, 2023.
Co-author, “Vital Access: How Policymakers Can Streamline the Cancer Care Journey,” The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, January 2023.
Co-author, “The Fight to End the Nation’s Overdose Epidemic and Restore Compassionate Care: Profiles in Leadership,” American Medical Association, December 2022.
Quoted, “Marketplace, MCOs Will Face a Rocky Transition When PHE Ends,” AIS Health, June 2, 2022.
Co-author, “The Value of In-Home Evaluations in Advancing CMS’ Medicare Goals,” Signify Health, March 2022.
Quoted, “As Health Policy Activity Slows, All Eyes Are On The Biden Administration,” InsuranceNewsNet, March 17, 2022.
Co-author, “Oregon Health Authority Public Option Implementation Report,” Oregon Health Authority, January 2022.
Co-author, “Assessing Implementation of Hospital Price Transparency,” New York State Health Foundation, January 2022.
Co-author, “The Episode-based Benefit Plan: Promoting Episode-based Provider Payment Through Employee Health Benefit Design,” Signify Health, September 2021.
Quoted, “COVID Impact, Rate Hikes in Exchanges Could Be Modest,” Health Plan Weekly, September 10, 2021.
Quoted, “Obamacare Sees Record Numbers as 2.5 Million More Seek Coverage,” Bloomberg Law, August 13, 2021.
Quoted, “State public options may suffer if CMS is too stingy with federal dollars,” Modern Healthcare, July 16, 2021.
Co-author, “The State of Play: A Mid-Year Update on the Public Option at the Federal and State Level,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health and Value Strategies program, July 2021.
Quoted, “CMS offers $20M to state-based insurance marketplaces,” Modern Healthcare, June 22, 2021.
Quoted, “Obamacare Ruling Gives Insurers Green Light to Ramp Up Markets,” Bloomberg Law, June 17, 2021.
Quoted, “Court Challenge Only Strengthened ACA, Analyst Says,” InsuranceNewsNet, June 17, 2021.
Co-author, “Accessing Out-of-Network Subspecialty Cancer Care in Marketplace Plans: Key Findings From a Scan of Four States,” The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, June 2021.
Co-author, “State Benchmarking Models: Promising Practices to Understand and Address Health Care Cost Growth,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, June 2021.
Quoted, “Health What’s Ahead & Week in Review,” Morning Consult, April 18, 2021.
Quoted, “Harm Reduction, Expanded Tx Access Included in White House Drug Policy Priorities,” MedPage Today, April 5, 2021.
Co-author, “State Public Options: Comparing Models from Across the Country,” California Health Care Foundation, March 12, 2021.
Co-author, “What’s Ahead for Health Policy in 2021,” RamaOnHealthcare, February 3, 2021.
Co-author, “Oregon Public Option Report: An Evaluation and Comparison of Proposed Delivery Models,” Oregon Health Authority, December 17, 2020.
Co-author, “Technology Opportunities for the ACA Marketplaces,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, December 15, 2020.
Co-author, “Stable Rates Reflect Strength of ACA Marketplaces,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health and Value Strategies program, October 30, 2020.
Co-author, “Updating the Essential Health Benefit Benchmark Plan: An Unexpected Path to Fill Coverage Gaps?” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health and Value Strategies Program, September 11, 2020.
Co-author, "Planning Ahead To Address COVID-19 In The ACA’s 2021 Rate Review Process,” Health Affairs, May 10, 2020.
Co-author, “National Roadmap on State-Level Efforts to End the Opioid Epidemic: Leading-Edge Practices and Next Steps,” American Medical Association, September 9, 2019.
Co-author, “Strategies to Expand Transparency, Enhance Competition and Control Costs: A Toolkit for Insurance Regulators,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, July, 2019.
Co-author, “Spotlight on Mississippi: Best Practices and Next Steps in the Opioid Epidemic,” American Medical Association, May 8, 2019.
Co-author, “Spotlight on North Carolina: Best Practices and Next Steps in the Opioid Epidemic,” American Medical Association, May 8, 2019.
Co-author, “Spotlight on Colorado: Best Practices and Next Steps in the Opioid Epidemic,” American Medical Association, January 16, 2019.
Co-author, “Spotlight on Pennsylvania: Leading-Edge Practices and Next Steps in Ending the Opioid Epidemic,” American Medical Association, December 13, 2018
Co-author, “Enhancing the Value of Coverage Through Transparency: How APCDs Can Support Insurance Regulation,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, November 2018.
Co-author, “Transparency In Health Care: Where We Stand And What Policy Makers Can Do Now,” Health Affairs, July 11, 2018.
Co-author, “America’s Opioid Crisis,” Bloomberg BNA’s Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report, March 30, 2018.
Co-author, “State Reinsurance Programs: Design, Funding, and 1332 Waiver Considerations for States,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health and Value Strategies program, March 2018.
Co-author, “State Marketplace Stabilization Strategies,” American Hospital Association, January 2018.
Co-author, “Building the Coverage Continuum: The Role of State Medicaid Directors and Insurance Commissioners,” The Commonwealth Fund, February 2017.
Author, “The ACA’s Section 1332 Waivers: Will We See More State Innovation in Health Care Reform?” NIHCM Foundation, August 2016.
Co-author, “Liberating Data to Enable Healthcare Market Transparency: A Guide for Regulators and Policymaker,” Novo Nordisk, March 2016.
Co-author, “How Mobile Apps will Empower Health Care Consumers,” Brookings, April 20, 2015.
Co-author, “Innovation Waivers: An Opportunity for States to Pursue Their Own Brand of Health Reform,” The Commonwealth Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Health Reform Assistance Network, April 2015.
“King v. Burwell: What a Subsidy Shutdown Could Mean for…Consumers, Insurers, Health Care Providers and States,” Series of four articles prepared for The Commonwealth Fund blog, February 24-27, 2015.
Co-author, “Reference Pricing And Network Adequacy Standards: Conflict Or Concord?” Health Affairs, September 18, 2014.
Co-author, “Understanding the Potential Role Web Brokers Can Play in State-Based Marketplaces,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health Reform Assistance Network, June 2014.
Co-author, “Premium Rate Variation In Exchanges Is An Eye Opener,” Health Affairs, August 7, 2013.
“Public Exchanges Dominate the Headlines, but Will Private Exchanges Really Shape the Future?” Manatt Health Update, June 24, 2013.
Co-author, “Post Election, The Affordable Care Act Leaves The Intensive Care Unit For Good,” Health Affairs, December 2012.
Co-author, “In the Wake of the Supreme Court Decision, Many Stakeholders Still Support the Affordable Care Act,” Health Affairs, August 2012.
Co-author, “Health Reform - Genie is Out of the Bottle,” The Hill, April 2012.
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