Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Janie Miller Resigns

Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has resigned her position, effective Feb. 29.Secretary Janie Miller was appointed by Beshear during his first term. The Cabinet is responsible for overseeing Medicaid and social services. Miller’s resignation comes at a time when the department’s transparency is being challenged in court. But Miller’s decision is to seek other opportunities, according to a news release sent from Beshear’s office.“Her efforts to provide health insurance for children, to implement wellness strategies, and move more than half a million Kentuckians to a managed care health system in less than a year were enormous tasks. Her work has paved the way for generations of healthier Kentuckians. I am grateful for her tireless service,” said Beshear.Miller has more than 35 years of experience in various public administrative and regulatory roles, the release said.“I have been blessed with a long and fulfilling career in public service,” said Sec. Miller. “During these last four years during one of the country's worst economic recessions, we have continued to move forward by looking to the future, with creativity and focus on alignment, integration and partnership across many sectors to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. I have been privileged to serve with CHFS employees who are some of the most dedicated, committed individuals in state government. I am excited about the future.”The Cabinet’s current deputy secretary Eric Friedlander will serve as interim Secretary of the agency. He has served in the Cabinet in a variety of roles since 1985, according to the release.