Eileen Hayes, former assistant chief of the health bureau at the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”), has joined the law firm of Greenberg Traurig LLP. She will serve as of counsel in the firm's insurance regulatory and transactions practice and in its health and FDA business practice in the Albany office.
Ms. Hayes will focus her practice on insurance regulatory and health care matters and will advise clients on issues related to insurance regulatory and the New York marketplace, Medicaid, and managed care matters.
“We are excited to have Eileen join Greenberg Traurig,” said Harold N. Iselin, the managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's Albany office who also is co-chair of the firm's global insurance regulatory and transactions practice and co-chair of the firm's government law and policy practice. “Now, more than ever, companies need guidance and counsel as they implement the new Affordable Health Care Act regulations. Eileen will prove a major asset to clients and will guide them through the regulatory process as they move forward in this unchartered territory.”
While Ms. Hayes was at DFS, she provided legal advice on all aspects of health insurance regulation, internally and to the governor's office, the budget division, various state and federal agencies, legislators, insurers, trade groups, consumer groups, and consumers. She was responsible for oversight and implementation of numerous market-based health insurance programs, including The New York Bridge Plan, Healthy New York, the COBRA program for entertainment workers, the TAA federal health care tax credit, and the federal COBRA stimulus program. Ms. Hayes also analyzed and provided advice regarding new state laws and bills pending legislative or gubernatorial action. She acted as the liaison to the New York State Department of Health (“DOH”) and the New York State Tax Department regarding the Health Care Reimbursement Act and other state taxes impacting insurance.
Ms. Hayes also developed legislation and regulations, and coordinated the DFS' federal health insurance reform efforts, ranging from early analysis in lobbying to implementation and integration of state and federal health insurance requirements. She advocated at the national level to minimize disruption to state markets and advance equity; drafted state implementing legislation; managed federal grants, bids, consultant contracts, and policy studies to support implementation; provided advice and support to the DOH and its contractors in developing New York's state-based health insurance exchange; and provided implementation assistance to insurers, federal agencies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
“I am thrilled to join Greenberg Traurig and bring with me the knowledge and perspective I gained while working in the public sector,” said Ms. Hayes. “I look forward to joining this nationally recognized firm and working alongside the talented health care attorneys in New York, Washington, D.C., and around the country.”
Prior to assuming responsibility as an assistant chief within the DFS, Ms. Hayes was an attorney with the New York State Insurance Department in the health bureau from 1994 to 2008. She holds a J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and a B.A. from State University of New York at Albany.
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Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].