Kreidler recovering from planned heart surgery

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is recovering after successful heart surgery.

 Kreidler’s doctors had been monitoring his heart status over the past several months, leading to the scheduled bypass and valve-replacement surgery, performed Monday at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

“The commissioner was upbeat and confident about the operation,” said Sandi Peck, Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Public Affairs. “He called our office this morning, and he sounds as if he’s well on the road to recovery. As a staunch advocate for health care reform, he’s definitely looking forward to getting back to work.”

During Kreidler’s recovery, Acting Chief Deputy Deb McCurley will be handling the commissioner’s duties. McCurley has been the deputy insurance commissioner for operations since 2006.

“The consumers we serve and industry professionals we regulate shouldn’t notice any changes,” said McCurley. “We have a dedicated, professional staff, many of whom have long experience dealing with insurance.”

Kreidler, 69, was re-elected to a fourth four-year term in November 2012. He is a former member of Congress, state lawmaker and doctor of optometry.