Gregoire announces new health care cabinet

SEATTLE — Gov. Chris Gregoire is creating a new health care cabinet to implement federal health care reform in Washington state. The cabinet is made up of the state Health Care Authority administrator, the state Health Department secretary, the Department of Social and Health Services secretary, the governor’s executive policy director, and her state budget director. In an executive order signed Thursday, Gregoire directs the cabinet to identify all opportunities for the state to receive federal money under the new health care law. The cabinet will also write and implement rules and policies to help carry out the reforms. The cabinet must submit a plan to Gregoire by Aug. 1.