The CEO of the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority plans to step down at the end of September.
Nico Gomez, who has led the authority for the past three-and-a-half years, submitted his letter of resignation to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board, according an announcement released on Monday. He plans to pursue work in the private sector, following 20 years of public service. He has worked for the OHCA for 16 years.
Updated August 31, 9:23 a.m.
Two policy analysts say it could be a tall order to find a replacement for Gomez.
Oklahoma Policy Institute executive director David Blatt told The Journal Record's Sarah Terry-Cobo the next director will have to navigate a tough state budget climate and the politics of expanding Medicaid:
Gomez proposed a solution to receive more federal funding for Medicaid and received support for the proposal, even though it ultimately failed, Blatt said. The next director and the Legislature must address Medicaid expansion and how to provide affordable health care options for people who can’t otherwise pay for it, Blatt said.
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small says Gomez's replacement should focus on controlling the program's costs.
Oklahoma’s proportion of Medicaid costs compared to the federal government’s contribution has increased by more than 500 percent in the last 20 years, Small said. The new director has the opportunity to create a new culture that leaves policy decisions up to legislators and ensures that everyone who receives Medicaid benefits is eligible, Small said.
The Oklahoma Association of Health Care Providers, a nursing home industry group, announced Wednesday morning Gomez would be joining the agency as its new president and CEO beginning October 3.
“Nico Gomez is a universally respected leader within the health care community,” OAHCP Board President Tandie Hastings said in a statement. “He is an accomplished manager, an expert on long-term care, and a passionate advocate for Oklahoma’s elderly and vulnerable citizens. We could not have found a more qualified and accomplished person for the role.”
Gomez said in that same statement he's excited by the prospect of impriving health outcomes and increasing the standard of care for seniors and people with disabilities.
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In a press release, Gomez stated that he was proud to serve an agency that saves lives.
“As an agency, OHCA cares for the most vulnerable among us: children, the elderly, the sick and the poor. The work being done here matters, and is worthy of the continued support of the state and our lawmakers,” Gomez wrote.
Gomez was not available for interviews on Monday.
In a written statement, Gov. Mary Fallin called Gomez an “inspirational leader” who made a difference in the health outcomes of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens.
“Nico has been intent on developing Oklahoma-based solutions to expand and improve access to quality health care for low-income residents, children, the elderly and disabled,” Fallin wrote. “He has worked in public service for 20 years, and I wish him the best of luck as he ventures into the private sector.”
In March, Gomez announced the OHCA would have to reduce the Medicaid reimbursement rate to providers due to the state’s budget shortfall. Shortly thereafter, he proposed the Medicaid Rebalancing Act which would have raised the tax on cigarettes, stabilized the reimbursement rate, expand Insure Oklahoma to adults who are below 133 percent of the poverty level, and provide subsidies to SoonerCare recipients to move them to the private market. The plan would have triggered a 90 percent match rate from the federal government under the Affordable Care Act.
The plan attracted the support of Gov. Fallin but never gained sufficient support in the legislature. The state's budget increased funding to the OHCA in Fiscal Year 2017, and Gomez did not have to slash the reimbursement rate.
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