Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
N.C. Health Secretary Resigns; Change Could Be Catalyst To Break Medicaid Reform Logjam, Some Say
The Charlotte Observer: DHHS Secretary Wos Resigns; Gov. McCrory Appoints New Leader
Aldona Wos, the secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, is resigning after a tenure that moved the agency to financial stability but which was marked by persistent questions from lawmakers about its operations. Rick Brajer of Raleigh, a former business executive with no government experience, will take the job running the 17,000-employee agency. (Bonner, 8/5)
Winston-Salem Journal: Wos Resignation Could Smooth Path To Medicaid Reform
The resignation of Dr. Aldona Wos as state health secretary could be the catalyst for breaking the logjam over state Medicaid reform, analysts said Wednesday. ... Medicaid reform arguably is the biggest sticking point between state Republican leaders and [Gov. Pat] McCrory, who has said repeatedly that he thinks the program is broken. Some health-care advocates dispute that assessment. Under Wos’ oversight, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has struggled with major inefficiency issues, particularly with the state’s $14 billion Medicaid program. (Craver, 8/5)
The Associated Press: NC Health Agency Chief Leaving Job; Brajer Is Next Secretary
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's health and human services secretary, who led the department to improved financial footing but was criticized by lawmakers for backlogged computer projects and pricey contractors, is leaving her job. Dr. Aldona Wos of Greensboro, who announced her departure at an emotional news conference Wednesday with McCrory and her successor, said she is stepping aside to spend more time at home and with her ailing mother. Wos was named DHHS secretary in early 2013 as McCrory's term began and worked for $1 annually. (Robertson, 8/5)
WFAE: NC Health Secretary Aldona Wos Resigning
Although there was some debate as to how effective the state was at treating Medicaid patients, there was no question about how bad the state was at budgeting for the program. [Gov.] McCrory touted how much that's changed. "This is the second consecutive year the Medicaid program has finished with cash in hand." (Tomsic, 8/5)
North Carolina Health News: DHHS Secretary Wos Resigns
After two-and-a-half sometimes tumultuous years, state Department of Health and Human Services Sec. Aldona Wos has given her resignation to Gov. Pat McCrory, saying that “it’s time for me to go home and be with my family.” The announcement came a day after DHHS officials revealed that for the second year in a row Medicaid finished the fiscal year in the black. (Hoban, 8/5)
