More changes are afoot at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The state agency that oversees state health and human services activities announced last month that it will consolidate several programs while adding four members to its leadership team. TMA staff is assessing how the changes might affect the provision of quality Medicaid, mental health, and public health services in the state.
The changes are the second phase of a planned transformation, Executive Commissioner Charles Smith said in a statement.
Starting Sept. 1, most Department of Aging and Disability Services programs will move to the commission’s new Regulatory or Facilities divisions, Mr. Smith said. Also, many of the regulatory functions of the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will be transferred to the commission.
Mr. Smith said additions to the leadership team include:
- Enrique Marquez, who will be the new deputy executive commissioner for Medical and Social Services. His new division will include Medicaid and CHIP Services, Access and Eligibility Services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health Services, and Health, Developmental, and Independence Services.
- David Kostroun, who will take over the newly created role of deputy executive commissioner for the Regulatory Services Division. He will oversee programs such as health care facilities, long-term care facilities, and child care licensing.
- Mike Maples, who will be the commission’s first deputy executive commissioner for the State Facilities Division. He will oversee 10 state hospitals and clinics and 13 state-supported living centers.
The commission is also creating a chief policy officer, who will oversee innovation, performance management, policy development, and data analysis, Mr. Smith said.
Action, Sept. 1, 2017