West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch today announced that Cynthia Beane, Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Medical Services, is one of six Medicaid directors chosen nationwide to participate in the Medicaid Leadership Institute, a national initiative directed by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The program offers a unique opportunity for Medicaid directors from states across the U.S. to develop the skills and expertise necessary to successfully lead and improve their essential state programs in an ever-changing policy and financing environment.
“Commissioner Beane understands the critical role that Medicaid plays by providing medically-necessary services to more than 520,000 residents,” Crouch said. “A testament to Commissioner Beane’s unwavering leadership, her selection to this national program will allow her to gain valuable insight that will ultimately benefit the people of West Virginia.”
Ms. Beane was competitively selected to participate in the leadership development program along with five additional Medicaid directors: Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Texas.
“Medicaid directors oversee the delivery of vital health care services for nearly a quarter of the U.S. population,” said John Lumpkin, MD, MPH, senior vice president at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Our investment in leadership development for these state officials acknowledges the important role they play in building a Culture of Health for everyone in America — particularly individuals who are most vulnerable to social and economic factors that negatively impact health.”
The 2018 class of the Medicaid Leadership Institute marks the seventh group of Medicaid directors chosen for this prestigious executive training opportunity. With this next class, 42 directors in 33 states and the District of Columbia have participated in the program since 2009. It is directed by Mark Larson, vice president at CHCS, former Medicaid director, and Class of 2014 MLI Fellow.
“Medicaid directors are essentially health plan CEOs — executives at the helm of typically the largest insurer in his or her state,” said Mr. Larson. “We are excited to support this year’s class of dedicated leaders from six states in their efforts to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of state programs that are so critical to the well-being of millions of Americans.”
During the 10-month-long program, fellows participate in in-person training sessions, site visits, and individualized coaching, as well as networking opportunities with peers, thought leaders, and policymakers. For more information about the Medicaid Leadership Institute, visit www.chcs.org/medicaid-leadership.
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About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are working with others to build a national Culture of Health enabling everyone in America to live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.
About the Center for Health Care Strategies
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a nonprofit policy center committed to improving health care quality for low-income Americans. CHCS works with state and federal agencies, health plans, providers, and consumer groups to develop innovative programs that better serve people with complex and high-cost health care needs. Learn more at www.chcs.org.