ANNAPOLIS, MD — A group tasked with implementing federal health reform in Maryland is recommending that insurance agents and brokers continue to sell small-group health insurance when health exchanges begin operating in the state.

The Maryland Venture Fund Authority is looking to hire a consultant for InvestMaryland, a new program of Gov. Martin O’Malley whose funding will be raised through insurance taxes.

New rate review rules, enacted Sept. 1 under the federal health reform, and Maryland’s rate review changes, will “reverse the tide” of rising health insurance premiums, industry and government officials say.

Beth Sammis, who last week was not appointed as insurance commissioner in Maryland, will remain at the Maryland Insurance Administration as a deputy commissioner.

Gov. Martin O’Malley signed several executive orders related to the implementation of federal health reform and appointed a staff member to oversee a new state office.

Gov. Martin O’Malley has appointed the nine members to serve on the board overseeing Maryland’s health benefit exchange.

Therese Goldsmith, a lawyer who has served on the Maryland Public Service Commission for the last two years, was named Maryland’s insurance commissioner, effective June 13.

Sixteen months after appointing Beth Sammis as acting Maryland insurance commissioner, Gov. Martin O’Malley has to make another appointment to the position.

Two bills, passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Martin O’Malley, change the insurance landscape in Maryland.

A panel of Maryland and federal leaders marked the one-year anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act March 24 by extolling the law’s consumer protections, especially those that concern women and children.