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Medicaid Leadership Exchange: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Center for Health Care Strategies and the National Association of Medicaid Directors
A podcast series exploring priority topics for Medicaid leaders developed in partnership with the National Association of Medicaid Directors and the Center for Health Care Strategies through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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- 1 weeks ago34 min
The Role of State and Territory Legislators in Medicaid
The executive and legislative branches share responsibility for ensuring Medicaid is administered effectively and efficiently. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Medicaid directors and state legislators can build productive working relationships grounded in trust, clear communication, and shared goals. The discussion highlights how these partnerships can help states navigate Medicaid’s complexity while balancing policy priorities, program oversight, and budget realities. The conversation features perspectives from current and former state leaders with experience across Medicaid administration and state legislatures: Todd Richardson, former Missouri Medicaid director, and former speaker of the house, Missouri House of Representatives Christine Osterlund, Kansas Medicaid director Pat Pettey, Kansas state senator The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS. The 2026 season is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorTodd Richardson, former Missouri Medicaid director, and former speaker of the house, Missouri House of Representatives<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" class="wp-image-25363" style="width: 150px;" src="https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot.png" alt="" srcset="https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot.png 232w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-60x60.png 60w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-80x80.png 80w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-100x100.png 100w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-120x120.png 120w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-140x140.png 140w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-200x200.png 200w, https://www.chcs.org/media/Christine-Osterlund_Headshot-125x125.png 125w" sizes="auto
- 2 weeks ago28 min
Steering the Ship in Transitions: The Role of Senior Deputies
When Medicaid agencies experience leadership changes, deputy and interim leaders play a critical role in keeping priorities on track. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how these leaders maintain continuity, guide day-to-day decision-making, and support agency teams during leadership transitions. The discussion highlights how interim leaders can help staff focus on core responsibilities, prioritize near-term decisions, prepare incoming directors, and keep members at the center of the work. The conversation features perspectives from a current and former interim Medicaid director: Krista Fremming, interim North Dakota Medicaid director Jeff Lunardi, senior principal, Mercer and former interim Virginia Medicaid director The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS, and former Vermont Medicaid director Kate McEvoy, executive director, NAMD, and former Connecticut Medicaid directorKrista Fremming, interim North Dakota Medicaid directorJeff Lunardi, senior principal, Mercer, and former interim Virginia Medicaid director <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel
- Jul 11, 202531 min
Reflections on Leadership from Long-Serving Medicaid Directors
Running a state Medicaid program means steering policy, budgets, and teams that shape health care for millions of people in the United States. Yet few directors remain at the helm of Medicaid programs long enough to witness — and drive — decades of change. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast features two of the nation’s longest tenured Medicaid directors, who share what drew them to their roles, how they approach leadership, and moments that defined their public-service careers: Stephanie Azar, Alabama Medicaid director Judy Mohr Peterson, Hawaii Medicaid director, former Oregon Medicaid director The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Kate McEvoy, former Connecticut Medicaid director and executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD). The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSKate McEvoy, former Connecticut Medicaid director and executive director, NAMDStephanie Azar, JD, Alabama Medicaid directorJudy Mohr Peterson, PhD, Hawaii Medicaid director, former Oregon Medicaid director Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music</
- Jun 23, 202528 min
Listening, Learning, Leading: Stakeholder-Driven Change in Medicaid
Stakeholder voices — including parents, community members, advocacy groups, and providers — play a vital role in shaping Medicaid. Their on-the-ground insights help drive policies that make the program stronger and more responsive to the people it serves. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast discusses how collaborating with stakeholders and understanding their perspectives can spark meaningful change within Medicaid programs. The episode features individuals with leadership experience in state Medicaid and at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Barbara Edwards, MPP, principal, BCE Health Policy, former director, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group, CMS, and former Ohio Medicaid director Josip Ambrenac, director, Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Utah Medicaid The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSJami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Barbara Edwards, MPP, principal, BCE Health Policy, former director, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group, CMS, and former Ohio Medicaid directorJosip Ambrenac, director, Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Utah Medicaid Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eHHUebuChTw
- Jun 12, 202531 min
How Wide-Ranging Experiences Strengthen Medicaid Leadership
The path to Medicaid leadership isn’t always a straight one. In fact, it is the breadth of experience and expertise — spanning sectors both inside and outside of state government — that is essential to building teams with the skills and agility to manage multi-billion-dollar programs. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast features three Medicaid leaders whose unique backgrounds — in nursing, technology, and politics — have helped shape their roles as trusted advisors to Medicaid directors. The episode features perspectives from Medicaid leaders in New Mexico, Alabama, and Wisconsin: Alanna Dancis, DNP, MSN, chief medical officer, Medical Assistance Division, New Mexico Health Care Authority Mason Tanaka, deputy commissioner and chief information officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency Krista Willing, MPA, assistant administrator, Systems, Fiscal, and Operations, Division of Medicaid Services, Wisconsin Department of Health Services The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSJami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Alanna Dancis, DNP, MSN, chief medical officer, Medical Assistance Division, New Mexico Health Care AuthorityMason Tanaka, deputy commissioner and chief information officer, Alabama Medicaid AgencyKrista Willing, MPA, assistant administrator, Systems, Fiscal,
- May 15, 202524 min
Stronger Together: North Dakota Medicaid and Families Partnering for Impact
“We need to tell our stories because the state will listen — they have listened.”Erin Peterson, parent advocate and member When Medicaid agencies partner with families, it brings together two essential perspectives: state officials who understand the policies and processes behind the programs, and families who offer on-the-ground insight into navigating those programs. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores North Dakota’s Cross-Disability Advisory Council — a unique partnership between agency staff and parents working together to improve programs for children with disabilities and their families. The episode highlights the value each unique perspective brings in shaping more responsive, effective Medicaid programs. The conversation features perspectives from a North Dakota Medicaid leader and parent advocate: Katherine “Kat” Barchenger, Children’s Waiver Administrator, Medical Services Division, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Erin Peterson, parent advocate and member, North Dakota Cross-Disability Advisory Council The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSJami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Katherine “Kat” Barchenger, Children’s Waiver Administrator, Medical Services Division, North Dakota Department of Health and Human ServicesErin Peterson, parent advocate and member, North Dakota Cross-Disability Advisory Council <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-
- Jul 12, 202436 min
Creating Supportive Partnerships Between Medicaid and Tribal Communities
Medicaid can partner with Tribal communities to better serve their members, who face persistent and significant health disparities. But before deciding how to address Tribal needs, it is critical for Medicaid agencies to forge strong partnerships by actively listening to what the Tribes need and want. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Medicaid can better serve Tribes by establishing clear lines of communication between Tribal communities and Medicaid staff. The episode highlights the importance of respect in building partnerships with Tribes and acknowledges how the rich histories of these communities impact their needs, health, and well-being. The conversation features perspectives from two Tribal leaders and an Arizona Medicaid leader: Kim Russell, executive director, Navajo Nation Department of Health and former Director of the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care Monica Antone, former Lieutenant Governor for the Gila River Indian Community Marcus Johnson, deputy director, Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCSKim Russell, executive director, Navajo Nation Department of Health and former Director of the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health CareMonica Antone, former Lieutenant Governor for the Gila River Indian CommunityMarcus Johnson, deputy director, Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medicaid-leadership-exchange/id1462320705" target="_blank" r
- Jun 28, 202433 min
How Medicaid Can Better Support Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Supporting families of children with special health care needs is critical to ensuring their health and well-being, and helping them stay together as a family. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how Medicaid agencies can better serve children with special health care needs and their families. The episode emphasizes the importance of partnering across silos and opening lines of communication between agencies and the people they serve. It also discusses OhioRISE, an innovative managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs. The conversation features perspectives from Ohio Medicaid leaders and a parent advocate: Maureen Corcoran, Medicaid director, Ohio Department of Medicaid Sala Webb, MD, FAPA, DFAACAP, chief medical officer, Aetna Better Health of Ohio, OhioRISE Mark Butler, parent advocate, OhioRISE Advisory Council Member The episode is hosted by Jami Snyder, CEO, JSN Strategies, and former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director. Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin. Featured in this episode: Jami Snyder, former Arizona and Texas Medicaid director and president and CEO, JSN Strategies.Maureen Corcoran, Medicaid director, Ohio Department of MedicaidSala Webb, MD, FAPA, DFAACAP, chief medical officer, Aetna Better Health of Ohio, OhioRISEMark Butler, Parent Advocate, OhioRISE Advisory Council Member The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ead32dea-43e9-43e3-9d70-4f22c2dd79b0/medicaid-leadership-exchange"
About Medicaid Leadership Exchange
A podcast series exploring priority topics for Medicaid leaders developed in partnership with the National Association of Medicaid Directors and the Center for Health Care Strategies through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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