Gov. Jim Doyle, D-Wis., issued the following news release:
Gov. Jim Doyle today thanked Health and Family Services Secretary Helene Nelson for her tremendous work on behalf of the State of Wisconsin and for her efforts to protect and promote the health and safety of Wisconsin residents. While Nelson announced today that she will leave her secretary post early next year, she will remain in a part-time capacity to help with the Governor's key health care priorities.
'As Secretary of Health and Family Services, Helene has been a driving force behind our efforts to reform long-term care and ensure that every child in Wisconsin has access to high quality, affordable health care' said Governor Doyle. 'Health care reform is one of my top priorities and Helene has been a lead author and implementer of my entire health care reform agenda.'
Governor Doyle praised Secretary Nelson for her leadership of the Department of Health and Family Services and thanked her for helping spearhead many of the Doyle Administration's efforts to improve access to health care, improve the quality of child welfare services in Milwaukee and increase access to community-based long-term care programs through expansion of the highly successful Family Care program. Secretary Nelson's accomplishments include:
Leading the effort to expand Family Care statewide in five years, starting Aging and Disability Resource Centers around the state and beginning the implementation of full Family Care statewide starting with Racine and Kenosha Counties.
Working with the Governor to persuade the federal government to save SeniorCare and to advance the Governor's commitment to make sure older people and people with disabilities can get the affordable health care and services they need to be healthy and independent.
Reducing turn-over rates among child welfare workers in Milwaukee which has been a major challenge facing child welfare reform efforts in the state's largest county.
Helping lead the development of the innovative BadgerCare Plus program which will ensure that every child has access to health insurance.
Serving as the Chair of the Governor's eHealth Care Quality and Patient Safety Board which has developed an innovative plan to help control health care costs in the future and improve patient safety.
Secretary Nelson has made the decision to step-down from her cabinet post in order to spend more time with her family. At the Governor's request, she will continue to work part-time to advise him and make sure that initiatives such as Family Care expansion become reality in Wisconsin.
'Governor Doyle has shown tremendous leadership in health care reform and it has been a pleasure to serve in his administration,' Nelson said. 'I am happy that I can continue to advance our goals for affordable health and long term care in Wisconsin, while taking time to strike the balance of work and family life that is right for me at this time.'
Nelson will continue to serve until January 3rd.Contact: Carla Vigue, 608/261-2162.
Carla Vigue, 608/261-2162.
