Miriam Hittner to be Rhode Island health insurance chief

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island Senate has confirmed the former chief executive of The Miriam Hospital as the state’s health insurance commissioner.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s nomination of Kathleen Hittner was approved on Tuesday. She succeeds Christopher Koller, who left after eight years to become president of a New York health policy foundation.

The office of the health insurance commissioner provides oversight of the health insurance industry. Hittner will review and approve the premiums that insurers charge and work to protect the interests of consumers.