KBIA Local
(2009-11-19)
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
Former State Representative Judy Baker has been appointed region seven director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She says prioritizing new activities such as lowering costs, improving quality, while still gaining more access to health care are her most important goals. Baker, a managing partner for Cura Advantage and former interim director of the University of Missouri's University Physicians practice plan says she has big ideas for her new position."I believe that there is plenty of money in the system to redirect the things that will make for better health. I want to work on those projects that will lower the costs of health care while raising the quality and the access."
The decision to appoint Baker as regional director was made by HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri was Baker's sponsor for the nomination. Baker says interacting with the community to help get ideas for improvement will be a major part in forming her platforms. When she is sworn into her new position on Monday in Kansas City, Baker will handle the regional health duties for Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.
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