Wendell Potter

Who is Wendell Potter?

Wendell Potter is an American expert on, plus outspoken insider-turned-critic of, the U.S. private health insurance industry -- particularly HMOs, and the sometimes-hidden tactics insurers can use to increase their profits by creatively denying policyholders their healthcare benefits when needed the most. Potter is also an advocate for major reforms of the industry, and even single payer insurance, in some instances. Until his 2008 resignation, he was vice president of corporate communications for CIGNA, one of the United States' largest health insurance companies. In June 2009, he testified against the HMO industry in the U.S. Senate as a whistleblower. Now a senior analyst at the Center for Public Integrity, a fellow at the Center for Media and Democracy, and a consumer liaison representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, among other positions, he has shared his unique expertise in high-profile interviews with Bill Moyers and other news outlets. Potter also contributes bi-weekly to The Huffington Post, including an "Ask Wendell" feature. In 2013 he also began contributing articles to Healthinsurance.org.