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Director Norwood to leave Rauner administration

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* Nothing yet from the Rauner administration, but here’s the corporate press release…

Anthem Names Felicia Norwood Executive Vice President and President, Government Business Division

INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jun. 4, 2018– Anthem, Inc. (NYSE:ANTM) announced today Felicia Norwood has been named Executive Vice President and President, Government Business Division, effective June 18, 2018. In this role, Ms. Norwood will be responsible for the company’s Medicaid, Medicare and Federal Government Solutions businesses. Ms. Norwood will also serve as member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to Gail K. Boudreaux, President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthem.

“Felicia is a proven leader with extensive experience in both the healthcare industry and government,” said Boudreaux. “She shares Anthem’s vision of creating a better healthcare experience for our consumers and all Americans. Her deep understanding of our business and the unique needs of our consumers will be of tremendous benefit as we work to continue to lead our industry by developing strategic partnerships and innovative integrated clinical care solutions across our Government business that will improve quality of care and drive better health outcomes.”

Ms. Norwood has more than 25 years of healthcare operations, policy and strategy experience. Most recently, she served as the director of Illinois’ Department of Healthcare and Family Services, leading a $22 billion agency with responsibility for serving the state’s 3.2 million Medicaid beneficiaries and 500,000 families receiving child support services. Prior to her current role, Felicia spent nearly 20 years at Aetna, where she served in a number of leadership roles including President, Mid-America Region; CEO, President and Chief Operating Officer of Aetna’s population health management subsidiary ActiveHealth Management Inc.; Head of Aetna Medicaid; National Head of Aetna’s Small Group and Individual Market Segments; and President, Aetna Government Health Plans, LLC.

…Adding… Press release…

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced today that Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Felicia Norwood has accepted a position in the private sector.

“Director Norwood has been steadfast in her efforts to ensure the state’s most vulnerable citizens have access to quality healthcare. She led Illinois’ Medicaid reboot that will deliver better services at a better price.

Her leadership was critical to restructuring our managed care network into a more effective and efficient delivery model while integrating mental health into the delivery of services.

Her dedication and commitment led to one of the most significant developments in the history of our health programs, securing a $2 billion federal 1115 waiver — “Better Care Illinois” — a multi-agency effort to create a nation-leading approach to behavioral health.

She also led the department through a series of incredibly complex IT modernizations.

We are tremendously grateful for Director Norwood’s talent and service to the people of Illinois. We truly wish her all the success in her new endeavor.”

The search for a replacement is currently underway. Director Norwood remains on with the Administration until June 15.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 3:59 pm

Comments

Getting out before the next reorg?

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:09 pm
This got through the revolving door? Aetna has no contracts with HFS?

What does it say that it is Aetna’s release, and not the Guv’s that can our first.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:10 pm
She’s going to Anthem, not Aetna.

Comment by Juice Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:11 pm
Another Director fleeing the ship

Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:13 pm
Henry Francis@4:10, She came from Anthem to HFS, and is leaving to go to Anthem, who I don’t believe has any contracts.

Comment by Perrid Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:17 pm
She came from Aetna, sorry.

Comment by Perrid Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Apologies and thanks.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:20 pm
Bye, Felicia

Comment by Whatever Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:39 pm
Best Team in America

Comment by Saluki Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:44 pm
Might it be a good time to bail from Illinois before the state is forced to pick up its share of Medicaid expansion?

Comment by BlueDogDem Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:47 pm
If you hire superstars and they all leave— then what’s left?

If you hire superstars and they all leave — and literally nothing has changed in three years—then what?

Spend another 50 million?

Comment by Anoniphone Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:49 pm
Another employee lured away to Indiana.

Comment by Whatever Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:50 pm
3.2 million people in Illinois on medicaid. That is a fourth of the population. One of the reasons the state has a hard time paying the bills.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:52 pm
When a ship is sinking…

Comment by DuPage Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:54 pm
So Norwood was negotiating with Anthem while fighting basic oversight of the managed care program. Not a good look.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 4:58 pm
Smart move.

All the smart ones will be leaving over the next few months. The dumb ones will be without a job come the end of January.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:00 pm
How can this NOT be a violation of the Revolving Door Act?

Comment by Voice in the wilderness Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:01 pm
Thamks Felicia - it was what it was, but you survived.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:03 pm
Felicia Norwood is a nice person with impressive credentials but was largely unable to advocate for HFS’ stakeholder populations to the extent I believe she desired due to Rauner’s priorities. I do wish her well.

Comment by kitty Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:07 pm
==3.2 million people in Illinois on medicaid. That is a fourth of the population. One of the reasons the state has a hard time paying the bills.==

19% according to Kaiser, a point less the national average for states. For some of these people, Medicaid is their secondary insurance. https://www.kff.org/interactive/medicaid-state-fact-sheets/

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:26 pm
2,961,050 people in Illinois on Medicaid and CHIP. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/state-indicator/total-monthly-medicaid-and-chip-enrollment/

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:32 pm
I’ve always had great respect for Felicia and her abilities. IMHO her only error was taking a job with a governor who had no interest in governing. This was a waste of her talents.

Congratulations to her on her new job.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 5:37 pm
Anon@4:58pm you don’t know what you are talking about. Like someone said above she was smart to move now.She is well liked and respected among state employees. And while I am sad she’s leaving, I am happy for her.

Comment by State Employee Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 6:32 pm
What did she accomplish?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 7:20 pm
Felicia is and was a Rock Star- Patty Bellock would be an Excellent replacement - Bruce are you listening?

Comment by HFS follower Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 8:28 pm
Norseman, showing my age, I remember Felicia as a Dunn fellow. Agree with you 100 percent.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 8:32 pm
=== What did she accomplish? ===

She worked for Rauner. What did he accomplish besides increasing IL debt, harming people, damaging universities and wrecking social services?

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 10:44 pm