National association honors Praeger

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently honored Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger with its President’s Award, which recognizes distinguished leadership.

Adam Hamm, insurance commissioner from North Dakota and president of the association, said of Praeger: “During her 12 years in office, she has shaped policy, built consensus and been a friend to all of us in this room. As NAIC president, she set a vision for collaboration and cooperation and navigated this body through some of the most contentious policy debates. Her ability to work through tough issues is matched only by her compassion and respect for her colleagues.”

Praeger, a moderate Republican who is retiring in January after three terms as insurance commissioner, has been an advocate for health reform despite opposition from others in her party. She served in the Kansas Senate from 1993 until her election as insurance commissioner in 2002.

She received the award Sunday at the association’s fall meeting in Washington, D.C. The association has representatives from each of the insurance departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.

“I am deeply humbled by the recognition my fellow commissioners have given me,” Praeger said. “It is truly an honor to work with them on behalf of insurance consumers throughout the United States.”

Praeger was president of the association in 2008 and led its health and managed care committee numerous times during her tenure as Kansas insurance commissioner.