Walker's health chief taking on shortfall

Dennis Smith's first task as secretary of the Department of Health Services is to eliminate a roughly $500 million shortfall in the state budget for the BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid programs. But his ultimate goal is to make the programs more efficient. That means lowering costs while improving care, and Smith knows that neither is given to quick solutions. "In health care," he said, "you can't turn a switch." But Smith brings to his new job a solid understanding of Medicaid at both the state and federal level. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/28)