The Texas Tribune
  • Our Picks
  • Data
  • Events
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
  • Our Picks
  • Data
  • Events
  • Newsletters
  • Donate

Former Texas HHSC executive commissioner named acting director for Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services

Chris Traylor's new position comes after joining the federal government in July as deputy administrator for strategic initiatives at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

by Marissa Evans Jan. 8, 201910 AM

Republish
Chris Traylor at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2012.
Chris Traylor at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2012. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

A former Texas Health and Human Services executive commissioner has been tapped to be the acting director of the federal Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.

Chris Traylor will oversee how states are running Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for the poor and disabled and the Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers children ineligible for Medicaid. His new position comes after joining the federal government in July as deputy administrator for strategic initiatives at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Agency Administrator Seema Verma said in a news release regarding Traylor and others' staff moves that the agency is “excited about these changes and what they can help us achieve as we continue to work on our many strategic initiatives this year.”

Traylor retired from leading the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in May 2016, after 11 months on the job. He was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to lead the health commission after predecessor Kyle Janek stepped down amid a scandal over how a government contract was awarded at the agency. At the time, Traylor was a deputy commissioner.

The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one.

He is also a former commissioner of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Read related Tribune coverage

  • Chris Traylor, Head of Massive Texas Health Commission, Announces Retirement
  • Texas Health Commissioner Reportedly Retiring
  • Texas still hasn't expanded Medicaid. That's leaving a gap in coverage for hundreds of thousands.
  • Fewer Texans were uninsured in 2016, but state still has largest health coverage gap

Quality journalism doesn't come free

Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Do you value our journalism? Show us with your support.

Yes, I'll donate today

Hide all comments

Comment Policy

The Texas Tribune is pleased to provide the opportunity for you to share your observations about this story. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask that you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or wandering away from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of the Tribune, and your real name will be displayed. All comments are shown in Central Time. Thanks for taking time to offer your thoughts.

You must be logged in to leave a comment. | Login | Sign Up

Your Comment

    • Donate
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • © 2019 The Texas Tribune
    Topics
    • Congress
    • Courts
    • Criminal justice
    • Demographics
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health care
    • Higher education
    • Immigration
    • Politics
    • Public education
    • State government
    Info
    • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Who Funds Us?
    • Strategic Plan
    • Republishing Guidelines
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Send us a confidential tip
    • Corrections
    • Feeds
    • Newsletters
    • Video
    Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Reddit
    • Join our Facebook Group, This Is Your Texas.