Tom Wolf Names Picks to Lead Human Resources, Health Departments

The head of human resources for the state of Maryland is Gov.-elect Tom Wolf's pick to be Human Services secretary and a former northeastern Pennsylvania hospital official is his choice for secretary of the state Department of Health, Wolf said Saturday.

Wolf said Ted Dallas would provide leadership needed to run the human services department "efficiently and effectively" as his administration works to fix "myriad problems" with the current Medicaid system. The department runs Pennsylvania's Medicaid program, and Wolf called expanding the program "to cover hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians" his top priority.

Under Dallas's leadership, the Maryland Department of Human Resources "reduced poverty, placed more people in jobs than ever before in state history, and was recognized by the federal government for program efficiency," Wolf said.

He said Karen Murphy, former chief executive officer of Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, has "an extensive understanding of the health care industry" as well as substantial executive experience.

"Over the last two years, Dr. Murphy has run a $900 million federal program designed to accelerate health care innovation across the country," Wolf said, adding that she would apply her public and private sector experience to lead the health department and the "health care transformation across the commonwealth."

Wolf said Gary Tennis will remain as secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and Dr. Rachel Levine will serve as the physician general. All of the appointments other than that of physician general will require approval by the Pennsylvania Senate.

The outgoing administration of Tom Corbett launched a massive overhaul to health care for the poor, the Healthy Pennsylvania program, which officials said would make 600,000 people — primarily low-income, single working adults — eligible for coverage under guidelines set by the 2010 law. The administration has also been overhauling benefits in Pennsylvania's existing Medicaid program, affecting coverage for approximately 900,000 other adults, primarily the elderly, disabled, low-income parents or low-income pregnant women.

Wolf, however, has said he opposes what he views as an unnecessarily complicated process and bureaucracy, and he could gradually unwind some elements of Corbett's plan after he takes office.