Medicaid Leadership Exchange

Running a state Medicaid program means steering policy, budgets, and teams that shape health care for millions of people in the United States. Yet few directors remain at the helm of Medicaid programs long enough to witness — and drive — decades of change. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast features two of the nation’s longest tenured Medicaid directors, who share what drew them to their roles, how they approach leadership, and moments that defined their public-service careers:

Stephanie Azar, Alabama Medicaid director

Judy Mohr Peterson, Hawaii Medicaid director, former Oregon Medicaid director

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Kate McEvoy, former Connecticut Medicaid director and executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD). The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSKate McEvoy, former Connecticut Medicaid director and executive director, NAMDStephanie Azar, JD, Alabama Medicaid directorJudy Mohr Peterson, PhD, Hawaii Medicaid director, former Oregon Medicaid director

The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

Support for this podcast was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

The post Reflections on Leadership from Long-Serving Medicaid Directors appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

Stakeholder voices — including parents, community members, advocacy groups, and providers — play a vital role in shaping Medicaid. Their on-the-ground insights help drive policies that make the program stronger and more responsive to the people it serves. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast discusses how collaborating with stakeholders and understanding their perspectives can spark meaningful change within Medicaid programs.

The episode features individuals with leadership experience in state Medicaid and at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):

Barbara Edwards, MPP, principal, BCE Health Policy, former director, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group, CMS, and former Ohio Medicaid director

Josip Ambrenac, director, Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Utah Medicaid

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSJami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Barbara Edwards, MPP, principal, BCE Health Policy, former director, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group, CMS, and former Ohio Medicaid directorJosip Ambrenac, director, Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Utah Medicaid

The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

Support for this podcast was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

The post Listening, Learning, Leading: Stakeholder-Driven Change in Medicaid appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

The path to Medicaid leadership isn’t always a straight one. In fact, it is the breadth of experience and expertise — spanning sectors both inside and outside of state government — that is essential to building teams with the skills and agility to manage multi-billion-dollar programs. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast features three Medicaid leaders whose unique backgrounds — in nursing, technology, and politics — have helped shape their roles as trusted advisors to Medicaid directors.

The episode features perspectives from Medicaid leaders in New Mexico, Alabama, and Wisconsin:

Alanna Dancis, DNP, MSN, chief medical officer, Medical Assistance Division, New Mexico Health Care Authority

Mason Tanaka, deputy commissioner and chief information officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency

Krista Willing, MPA, assistant administrator, Systems, Fiscal, and Operations, Division of Medicaid Services, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSJami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Alanna Dancis, DNP, MSN, chief medical officer, Medical Assistance Division, New Mexico Health Care AuthorityMason Tanaka, deputy commissioner and chief information officer, Alabama Medicaid AgencyKrista Willing, MPA, assistant administrator, Systems, Fiscal, and Operations, Division of Medicaid Services, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

Support for this podcast was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

The post How Wide-Ranging Experiences Strengthen Medicaid Leadership appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

“We need to tell our stories because the state will listen — they have listened.”
Erin Peterson, parent advocate and member

When Medicaid agencies partner with families, it brings together two essential perspectives: state officials who understand the policies and processes behind the programs, and families who offer on-the-ground insight into navigating those programs. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores North Dakota’s Cross-Disability Advisory Council — a unique partnership between agency staff and parents working together to improve programs for children with disabilities and their families. The episode highlights the value each unique perspective brings in shaping more responsive, effective Medicaid programs.

The conversation features perspectives from a North Dakota Medicaid leader and parent advocate:

Katherine “Kat” Barchenger, Children’s Waiver Administrator, Medical Services Division, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

Erin Peterson, parent advocate and member, North Dakota Cross-Disability Advisory Council

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSJami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Katherine “Kat” Barchenger, Children’s Waiver Administrator, Medical Services Division, North Dakota Department of Health and Human ServicesErin Peterson, parent advocate and member, North Dakota Cross-Disability Advisory Council

The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

Support for this podcast was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

The post Stronger Together: North Dakota Medicaid and Families Partnering for Impact appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

Medicaid can partner with Tribal communities to better serve their members, who face persistent and significant health disparities. But before deciding how to address Tribal needs, it is critical for Medicaid agencies to forge strong partnerships by actively listening to what the Tribes need and want. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Medicaid can better serve Tribes by establishing clear lines of communication between Tribal communities and Medicaid staff. The episode highlights the importance of respect in building partnerships with Tribes and acknowledges how the rich histories of these communities impact their needs, health, and well-being.

The conversation features perspectives from two Tribal leaders and an Arizona Medicaid leader:

Kim Russell, executive director, Navajo Nation Department of Health and former Director of the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care

Monica Antone, former Lieutenant Governor for the Gila River Indian Community

Marcus Johnson, deputy director, Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS).

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSKim Russell, executive director, Navajo Nation Department of Health and former Director of the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health CareMonica Antone, former Lieutenant Governor for the Gila River Indian CommunityMarcus Johnson, deputy director, Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

Support for this podcast was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

The post Creating Supportive Partnerships Between Medicaid and Tribal Communities appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.