Advocates who had rallied to save the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner are celebrating their success, after the House on Wednesday decided to scrap its plan to eliminate the $700,000 department.

Linda Lulli, a board member of the Rhode Island Business Group on Health and associate vice president for human resources at Bryant University, said she was pleased with the advocates’ fast response and also with the “awareness-building at the State House” on what the health insurance commissioner does.

“I feel it was important we were able to have all of the stakeholder groups –– labor, business and other constituents –– come together,” she said. “It shows it can be done.”

“It took a lot of effort and fast organizing,” said Steven R. DeToy, spokesman for the Rhode Island Medical Society. “A lot of groups came together.” Many doctors wrote their state representatives, he said.

“I’m gratified by the public support for the role of the health insurance commissioner and by the decision of the House,” said Christopher F. Koller, the commissioner.

He noted that the amendment restoring his position included some new provisions, which he called “constructive.”

The amendment requires the commissioner to hold quarterly public meetings (instead of the annual one previously required), to make regular reports in person to the House and Senate Finance Committees, and to work on making health insurance “fairer” and more affordable for small businesses.

Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts led the protests when the House Finance Committee voted last week to eliminate Koller’s three-person office and repeal the 2004 law that created it.

On Thursday, she said in a statement: “Rhode Islanders were on the verge of losing an office that provides vitally important protections making health insurance more affordable and ensuring that those who provide us with medical care are treated fairly.”

Roberts praised the legislature “for listening and acting decisively to protect affordability, fairness and health-care reform.”

ffreyer@projo.com