Susan Birch
Susan Birch was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in January 2018 to oversee efforts to transform the health care system, helping ensure Washington residents have access to high-quality, affordable health care. HCA purchases care for nearly 2.5 million residents through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. HCA also is responsible for the state community-based behavioral health system. Before joining Governor Inslee’s Cabinet, Birch served as the executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. She led the state’s successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which expanded coverage to more low-income Coloradans while focusing on cost containment and improved service delivery. She also has served as chief executive officer of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association. Birch has completed appointments to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, and served as the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Livingston Fellow and the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow.
Biography current as of February 10, 2020