Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro (D) has named Valerie Arkoosh, an anesthesiologist and chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners, as his Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Arkoosh led her county’s response in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, which elevated her to the spotlight as Montgomery County was in the epicenter of the virus’ spread. She also has been a professor of anesthesiology and obstetrics and pitched an unsuccessful run for Congress in 2014 before being re-elected to the County Commission. He also named:
- Secretary of Health: Debra Bogen, a pediatrician, and the director of the Allegheny County Health Department.
- Secretary of Drugs and Alcohol: Latika Davis-Jones, senior director of behavioral health at Highmark Wholecare, a Medicaid managed care provider in southwest Pennsylvania.
- Secretary of Aging: Jason Kavulich, Lackawanna County Director of Agency on Aging.
- Insurance Commissioner: Mike Humphreys, who has held the role temporarily since last spring.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a Medicaid bulletin announcing they will be reinstating pre-COVID provider enrollment requirements effective February 27, 2023; while the PACE Program announced their Part D pharmacy benefit plan partners for 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.