Beshear Struggling With Health Services Pick
Governor-elect Steve Beshear wants the head of the Passport Health Plan to be his Health Services Cabinet Secretary. But so far, negotiations with Joyce Hagen haven't resulted in any agreement.
Several sources say Beshear's negotiations with Hagen have been on again, off again. Part of the hangup has been money, according to my sources. Hagen makes a big salary as head of the agency that oversees the Medicaid program in Jefferson and several surrounding counties. The state would probably have to pay her close to $300,000 to make it worth her while to leave Passport for state government for a few years. The state paid former cabinet secretaries Mark Birdwhistell and James Holsinger $188,000 and $247,000 respectively. They were paid through a personal service contract with the University of Kentucky. Beshear would have to work out a similar deal with the University of Louisville to get Hagen. University Hospital is a partner with Passport. A spokesperson for Passport says Hagen has "received no official offer" from the Beshear administration.
Beshear is also trying to get Shannon Turner to return to state government, perhaps as a deputy secretary in the Health Services Cabinet. Turner is a respected policy wonk who helped put together some of the Medicaid reforms during the Fletcher administration.
Comments
What About former state senator Benny Ray Bailey? Dan Mongiardo has said in in his speeches that he could think of no one more qualified to be secretary of health than Benny Ray Bailey.
Posted by: John Easy Ky | December 5, 2007 8:03 PM
Former Sen. Bailey was my immediate 1st choice, however, from a short conversation with him recently, it did not sound like he was interested in a foray back into state government. He would certainly be very positive, but I think his own health care firm is doing well, and CFHS is rife with problems.
Posted by: Flamecat | December 5, 2007 8:24 PM
$300,000 per year. That sure would provide healthcare for a lot of uninsured children in this state.
Hagan's moto "What can the taxpayers of this state do for ME?"
Posted by: Anonymous | December 6, 2007 12:10 PM
Why not Steve Nunn. He was on the Legislative Health and Welfare Committee for over a decade. He is liked by the advocate community. He knows Medicaid, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. He knows the players in the Cabinet. And was active in the telehealth initiative which is in the Cabinet. Why pay a high, high price when you've got a viable candidcate in Mr. Nunn
Posted by: cabinet retiree | December 6, 2007 1:02 PM
Hagen is the best choice even if the salary requirements are steep. Hagen is making alot more than that where she is now, which is another problem perhaps. Hagen and turner are the best team to take on the job. If she doesn't take it now, she has only made enemies in Frankfort, which isn't a good thing for her or her current company. Benny Ray Bailey is definitely not the person for the job. Give it to Hagen and Turner and let's get on with it. Or take some other Passport executive who won't try to hold the taxpayers hostage over salary requirements, if such a thing exists.
Posted by: DGV | December 7, 2007 8:52 AM
Steve Nunn has some well documented and widely known personal and personnel issues that keep him from being a viable candidate for this job and for most others. This would be a huge mistake for the state and its taxpayers.
Posted by: DGV | December 7, 2007 8:54 AM