Thursday, January 18, 2007

Tribune: Graham weighing decision on health director appointment


Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, is weighing whether to support Gov. Matt Blunt's appointment of Jane Drummond as state health director, according to an article written by the Columbia Tribune's Jason Rosenbaum.

The article indicates Graham is concerned about Ms. Drummond's failure to take steps to strip Joplin River of Life Ministries of its licenses to operate group homes, despite the recommendations of staff during Ms. Drummond's time as the department's attorney. That decision came under much scrutiny following the Nov. 27 Anderson Guest House fire in which 11 people were killed.

The veteran senator also worries about her lack of health care experience:

But Graham said Drummond lacks the health-care management background that’s required in the law for the position. "Obviously she's worked as a practicing attorney, but she really hasn’t worked in the health-care field," he said. That's problematic, he said, since Blunt and the General Assembly are planning to launch a massive reformation of Missouri's Medicaid system and health-care delivery service infrastructure.

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