Kate Walsh, former CEO of Boston Medical Center Health System, was officially sworn in as the new Secretary of the Executive Office of Health & Human Services on March 1st.
Walsh comes to the role after a 13-year run as the head of Boston Medical Center Health System — one of the longest-serving health system CEOs in the state. She ran not only the 514-bed Boston hospital that serves a large portion of patients on government insurance, but also WellSense Health Plan, formerly BMC HealthNet Plan, which serves a large population of MassHealth patients.
“We look forward to working with Secretary Walsh on our initiatives to modernize the nursing home funding formula and address our workforce crisis,” stated Tara M. Gregorio, MSCA President.
Walsh’s appointment places her at the helm of the state’s largest single department, which includes over 12 agencies, two soldiers’ homes, and the state’s Medicaid program. With a combined budget of more than $27 billion, the department accounts for over half of the state’s spending, touching on everything from children in protective custody to elder affairs.