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Colorado: Governor Polis Makes Cabinet Announcement

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DENVER - Today, Governor Polis announced the new acting Executive Director for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and the Behavioral Health Administration Commissioner (BHA). Stephanie Beasley will be stepping up to lead BHA, while Gretchen Hammer will lead HCPF. Hammer will serve as acting executive director until her confirmation as the position is Senate confirmed. Hammer will start for HCPF on Monday, April 13th and Beasley will start as BHA Commissioner on Monday, April 27th.

"I'm thrilled to welcome the expertise and leadership of Stephanie and Gretchen into these important roles. Their experience and passion for public service will strengthen Colorado and the people we serve. Stephanie comes to us from the Department of Early Childhood and Gretchen has previously served with HCPF as the Medicaid Director. I know that both of them will continue the important work of expanding access and reducing costs for the care people need, whether it's for physical or mental health," said Governor Jared Polis.

"The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Behavioral Health Administration play critical roles in ensuring that Coloradans have access to high-quality and affordable health care as well as essential services. Strong leadership at both agencies is important to people and families being able to access the care they need to live safe, healthy, and stable lives. We look forward to working with Gretchen and Stephanie to support this vital work," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care and Interim Behavioral Health Commissioner.

Stephanie Beasley currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). She began working directly with families in child welfare and advanced through leadership roles in Indiana, ultimately serving as Deputy Director of Field Operations and overseeing child welfare services across all 92 counties. Beasley later served as Vice President of Statewide Outreach for the Indiana Youth Institute and as Chief Operating Officer for Adult and Child Health, where she led integrated mental health, housing, foster care, and youth development services. In 2020, she was appointed Nebraska's Director of Children and Family Services, overseeing child welfare, child support, adult protective services, and economic assistance programs, and guiding the state's largest human services agency through the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining CDEC, she served as Vice President of Community Impact at Mile High United Way, strengthening community partnerships and advancing economic mobility.

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"Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to serving the public and strengthening the systems that provide meaningful support to individuals, families, and communities. It is an honor to continue that work in Colorado as Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration. I look forward to leading initiatives that expand access to services, strengthen community partnerships, and create positive outcomes, ensuring Coloradans have the support they need to thrive," said Stephanie Beasley.

"Stephanie Beasley has been instrumental in building a strong foundation at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Her leadership and commitment to children and families have left a lasting impact on both our work and our team," said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of CDEC. " I'm excited to see her bring the same vision and dedication to her new role as Commissioner of BHA, where she will continue to make a meaningful difference for Coloradans."

Gretchen Hammer is a seasoned public leader with deep connections to Colorado and a passion for expanding and improving health care access. She served as Colorado's Medicaid Director from 2015-2018 at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. As a member of the Executive team she provided strategic direction for Colorado's medicaid program to ensure access to high quality health care for Coloradans.

Prior to her service at HCPF she was involved in state health policy through a number of positions and coalitions where she developed her passion for community level collaboration to increase access to health care for underserved communities. Hammer brings decades of leadership and health care expertise to HCPF and high-level management experience most recently as a Senior Fellow at Mathematica, where she worked with state and local governments on health and human services programs. Hammer is a graduate of Colorado College and has a Masters of Public Health from the University of Washington.

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"My entire professional career has focused on expanding access and improving the quality of health care people need to live strong lives. I am thrilled to return to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, where I previously served as Medicaid Director, to deliver on Governor Polis's commitment to high-quality health care services. I bring experienced leadership and health care expertise to help HCPF deliver on its mission and responsibly serve the Coloradans who need our services," said Gretchen Hammer.

"I have known and worked with Gretchen for years and am confident her passion and expertise will make the Health Care Policy and Financing Department a strong partner in the work to deliver the services Coloradans need. Over the years I have seen Gretchen's steady leadership, dedication to community collaboration, and innovative approach to solving problems. I look forward to working with her again," said Donna Lynne, CEO of Denver Health.

"CCDC, as an organization led by people who are Medicaid clients, applauds the appointment of Gretchen Hammer as Acting Director of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. She knows our state and Medicaid law. We look forward to working closely with her and the rest of the team," said Hillary Jorgensen, Co-Executive Director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.

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