Hans Hoogervorst

Hans Hoogervorst (b. 19 April 1956, Haarlem) was the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands between May 2003 and February 2007. His previous positions in the Dutch government include Minister of Finance (2002-2003) and State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Social Affairs and Employment (1998-2002).

After completing his secondary education, he studied history at the University of Amsterdam, graduating in 1981. He then went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University SAIS in Washington, D.C. in 1983.

From 1983 to 1986 Hoogervorst worked as an international banking officer with the National Bank of Washington (Washington, D.C.) and from 1986 to 1987 as a policy officer for international monetary affairs at the Dutch Ministry of Finance. From 1988 to 1994 he was a policy assistant on finance to the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) Tweede Kamer parliamentary party and from 1994 to 1998 a Member of Parliament.

From 3 August 1998, Hoogervorst was State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment in the second Kok government. On 22 July 2002 he was appointed Minister of Finance in the first Balkenende government. From 16 October 2002 he was also responsible for the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. On 27 May 2003 he was appointed Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports in the second Balkenende government. In this position, Hoogervorst introduced a basic health insurance policy, mandatory for all registered inhabitants, but executed by private insurers. Which led to a heightening of monthly payments by civilians by 300%. And has left many people with no assurance. Without leading to cost benefits to the government due to an expensive tax-return system.

On June 8, 2007, it was announced by the fourth Balkenende cabinet that Hoogervorst will succeed Arthur Docters van Leeuwen as director of AFM, the Dutch financial market supervisory organization.