Medicaid Leadership Exchange

Leading a Medicaid agency requires more than one strong leader — it requires a leadership team that can navigate complexity, connect decisions across program and functional areas, and maintain momentum amid competing demands. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how senior leadership teams can strengthen their collective capacity to address challenges together. The discussion highlights how effective teams establish shared ownership, resolve challenges without relying on one person to drive decisions, and build the trust needed to raise concerns early and work through difficult issues together.

The conversation features perspectives from:

Bill Hanna, former Wisconsin Medicaid Director, Practice Director, ATI Advisory

Sally Kozak, Pennsylvania Medicaid Director

Emily Zalkovsky, former Texas Medicaid Director

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

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorBill Hanna, former Wisconsin Medicaid Director, Practice Director, ATI AdvisorySally Kozak, Pennsylvania Medicaid DirectorEmily Zalkovsky, former Texas Medicaid Director

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.

About the National Medicaid Leadership Center

The Center for Health Care Strategies’ National Medicaid Leadership Center provides leadership and capacity-building services to help Medicaid and health and human services agency leaders navigate a rapidly evolving health care landscape, drive meaningful change, strengthen programs, and improve care for the communities they serve. Learn more

The post Leading as a Team: Building Strong Medicaid Senior Leadership appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

For some Medicaid leaders, Medicaid and CHIP are not only programs they oversee — they are systems they have experienced firsthand. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how leaders in Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Oregon draw on their personal experiences to expand access, make services easier to navigate, and keep people at the center of policy and program decisions.

The conversation features perspectives from:

Nicole Harris, executive director, Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program

Martijn van Beek, quality director, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Rachel Calloway, chief of staff, Oregon Health Authority

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS. The 2026 season is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorNicole Harris, executive director, Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance ProgramMartijn van Beek, quality director, Idaho Department of Health and WelfareRachel Calloway, chief of staff, Oregon Health Authority

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.

About the National Medicaid Leadership Center

The Center for Health Care Strategies’ National Medicaid Leadership Center provides leadership and capacity-building services to help Medicaid and health and human services agency leaders navigate a rapidly evolving health care landscape, drive meaningful change, strengthen programs, and improve care for the communities they serve. Learn more

The post Leading with Lived Experience: Lessons from Medicaid Leaders appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

Translating Medicaid policy into day-to-day operations requires close coordination across teams — particularly when programs are navigating complex changes, competing demands, and tight timelines. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Kentucky Medicaid leaders use strong working relationships, early planning, cross-team information sharing, and practical tools to move policy priorities forward. The discussion highlights how sustained collaboration can help teams manage program changes, communicate clearly, and keep implementation focused on members and providers.

The conversation features perspectives from Kentucky Medicaid leaders with experience managing policy, operations, and financial strategy:

Steve Bechtel, chief financial officer, Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services

Veronica Judy-Cecil, senior deputy commissioner, Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS. The 2026 season is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorSteve Bechtel, chief financial officer, Kentucky Department for Medicaid ServicesVeronica Judy-Cecil, senior deputy commissioner, Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services

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.

About the National Medicaid Leadership Center

The Center for Health Care Strategies’ National Medicaid Leadership Center provides leadership and capacity-building services to help Medicaid and health and human services agency leaders navigate a rapidly evolving health care landscape, drive meaningful change, strengthen programs, and improve care for the communities they serve. Learn more

The post Turning Policy into Practice: Lessons from Kentucky Medicaid appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

Technology is essential to how Medicaid operates — shaping how agencies support providers, manage complex programs, enable monitoring and compliance, and serve members. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Medicaid leaders are approaching technology strategy and implementation. The discussion highlights how product roadmaps, shared governance, and stronger contract management can help states build systems that reflect program priorities and support more effective implementation.

The conversation features perspectives from Medicaid leaders in North Carolina and Alaska with experience guiding technology strategy and implementation:

Sarah Gregosky, chief operating officer, North Carolina Medicaid

Emily Ricci, Alaska Medicaid director and deputy commissioner, Alaska Department of Health

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS. The 2026 season is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorSarah Gregosky, chief operating officer, North Carolina MedicaidEmily Ricci, Alaska Medicaid director and deputy commissioner, Alaska Department of Health

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.

About the National Medicaid Leadership Center

The Center for Health Care Strategies’ National Medicaid Leadership Center provides leadership and capacity-building services to help Medicaid and health and human services agency leaders navigate a rapidly evolving health care landscape, drive meaningful change, strengthen programs, and improve care for the communities they serve. Learn more

The post Getting More Value from IT Systems and Vendors appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.

The executive and legislative branches share responsibility for ensuring Medicaid is administered effectively and efficiently. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Medicaid directors and state legislators can build productive working relationships grounded in trust, clear communication, and shared goals. The discussion highlights how these partnerships can help states navigate Medicaid’s complexity while balancing policy priorities, program oversight, and budget realities.

The conversation features perspectives from current and former state leaders with experience across Medicaid administration and state legislatures:

Todd Richardson, former Missouri Medicaid director, and former speaker of the house, Missouri House of Representatives

Christine Osterlund, Kansas Medicaid director

Pat Pettey, Kansas state senator

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS. The 2026 season is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.

Featured in this episode:

Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorTodd Richardson, former Missouri Medicaid director, and former speaker of the house, Missouri House of RepresentativesChristine Osterlund, Kansas Medicaid directorPat Pettey, Kansas state senator

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.

About the National Medicaid Leadership Center

The Center for Health Care Strategies’ National Medicaid Leadership Center provides leadership and capacity-building services to help Medicaid and health and human services agency leaders navigate a rapidly evolving health care landscape, drive meaningful change, strengthen programs, and improve care for the communities they serve. Learn more

The post The Role of State and Territory Legislators in Medicaid appeared first on Center for Health Care Strategies.