Gov. Dannel P. Malloy nominated Ted Doolittle of West Hartford as Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate. 

Ted Doolittle. Submitted photo

Submitted

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday that he is nominating Ted Doolittle of West Hartford to serve as Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate – a position responsible for helping the state’s residents navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, advocate for patients’ rights, and educate Connecticut consumers about their rights to healthcare and health insurance coverage.

“Especially in these unpredictable times when people are understandably worried about the future availability and accessibility of their healthcare services, we need a strong proponent on behalf of consumers who will work as a voice on behalf of those who need assistance navigating the complexities of our healthcare system, and I believe that Ted is an excellent fit to be that proponent,” Malloy said. “He has extensive experience investigating and evaluating consumer complaints and multifaceted legal issues, including within the healthcare industry, and I look forward to having him bring this service to the Office of Healthcare Advocate on behalf of our state’s residents.”

Doolittle currently serves as Division Director for the Enforcement Unit of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Occupational and Professional Division, where he is responsible for investigating and resolving consumer complaints regarding wide variety of occupations and professions licensed by the state. Immediately prior to that, he served as a Program Director with CGI Federal, where he worked in the company’s Health and Compliance Programs Group, focusing on federal government healthcare program integrity and anti-fraud procurements and programs.

He has also worked with the LeClairRyan Law Firm in its Healthcare Group, as a Deputy Director for Policy and Enforcement with the Center for Program Integrity within the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and as an Associate General Counsel with UnitedHealthcare. He also previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, where he worked in the Healthcare Fraud, Insurance Advocacy, and Whistleblower Department, investigating and litigating multiple Medicaid and prescription drug matters.

“It is an honor to be nominated for this critical healthcare position by Governor Malloy, and I look forward to continuing my career in public service fighting for Connecticut individuals and families facing difficult healthcare issues,” Doolittle said. “I am excited by the chance to join and learn from the dedicated professionals at the Office of the Healthcare Advocate who already have established such a strong tradition of service to patients and families across the state. The coming year promises a continued high pace of change in the healthcare industry, and I look forward to leading the OHA team in relentless, consumer-focused collaboration with the state’s health insurance carriers, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to ensure that these changes produce what the people of Connecticut deserve – increased healthcare quality, improved access to care, and lower costs.”

Doolittle received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

The Healthcare Advocate serves as the director of the Office of the Healthcare Advocate. As required under state law, upon a vacancy in the position, the advisory committee of the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, which consists of six members who are appointed by a bipartisan group of legislative leaders, considers qualified candidates for the position and submits to the Governor a list of not more than five candidates ranked in order of preference. The Governor is then required to select from that list a candidate to nominate to the position, who is then subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.