As reported in the Baltimore Business Journal, Howard County’s Health Officer, Dr. Peter Beilenson, is stepping down to lead a new Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP).   CO-OPs were created as part of the Affordable Care Act as a new type of non-profit health insurer, run by their customers.   As reported,

Beilenson. . . will become CEO of Evergreen Health Cooperative Inc., a program he founded. The CO-OP recently received a $65 million federal loan to begin operating as an insurance option for Maryland residents.

While working in Howard County, Beilenson launched Healthy Howard, a county-sponsored program provides health care to uninsured residents through community partnerships.  Howard County Executive Ken Ulman lauded Beilenson’s qualities in a statement to the Baltimore Sun,

“Peter is one of the most innovative public health leaders not only here in Maryland but across the nation.”

Before serving in Howard County, Dr. Beilenson was Baltimore City’ s Health Commissioner.  In 2012, he publicly announced his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease as part of his advocacy for access to affordable healthcare.