Leslie Clement, Medicaid administrator for Idaho's Department of Health & Welfare, is being promoted to deputy director overseeing Medicaid, Behavioral Health and Managed Care Services, replacing Deputy Director Dick Schultz, who is retiring after 33 years with the state. Daily administration of the Idaho Medicaid program will be handled by Paul Leary, who is being promoted to Idaho Medicaid plan administrator.

Dick Armstrong, state Health & Welfare director, said, "Like almost every state, Idaho is struggling with escalating Medicaid and mental health costs. Our challenge is to control those costs through managed care strategies while continuing to provide participants with necessary medical care. We are thrilled to have Leslie Clement lead our managed care efforts. She is a knowledgeable, well-respected, and an engaging leader who is skilled in building consensus with very difficult policy issues.”

Clement, who's been with the state since 2000 and has a master’s degree in public administration, said, “We have had to make very difficult decisions over the past few years and although we aren’t out of the woods yet, it is necessary for us to begin laying the groundwork for a different approach to the current health and social services delivery system.” You can read the department's full announcement here.