Kelmar was most recently the vice president for Global Public Affairs and Policy for Merck, in charge of that function worldwide.  Before that he was head of Global Public Affairs for Novartis and senior vice president, external relations, for Medtronic Corporation.  Earlier in his career, Kelmar worked in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and was a chief of staff for two members of Congress.  He replaces Thomas Strohmenger, who is retiring.

"Steve Kelmar is a seasoned executive with a deep background in the health care industry and government affairs experience at the state, federal and international levels - experience which I believe will be essential to Aetna in the months and years ahead in the discussion over how to expand the affordability and access to health care," Williams said.   "Aetna has already taken a substantive role by bringing new ideas and significant experience to this discussion.  With Steve's help, we will move our efforts to the next level.  I would also like to thank Tom Strohmenger for his more than 30 years of service to Aetna, and wish him well in the next stage of his life."

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. www.aetna.com