State of Arizona

Janice K. Brewer 	Office of the Governor 	Main Phone: 602-542-4331
Governor 	1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ  85007	Facsimile: 602-542-7601

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Paul Senseman
November 3, 2009	(602) 542-1342 psenseman@az.gov

Governor  Jan Brewer Announces New AHCCCS Director

Betlach Promoted  to Director; Rodgers Departs to Serve as Consultant to HMA

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today announced the promotion of Thomas J. Betlach to Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s single state Medicaid agency. Mr. Betlach currently serves as Deputy Director of AHCCCS. Also today, the Governor announced the departure of current AHCCCS Director Anthony D. Rodgers who will leave his post to take on a consulting role for Health Management Associates, a national consulting firm.

“I am pleased today to announce the appointment of Mr. Tom Betlach as the new AHCCCS Director,” stated Governor Brewer. “Tom has served as an instrumental component of the AHCCCS leadership for nearly eight years, and I am very pleased he has accepted this expanded role. With over 18 years in service to the State of Arizona, Tom brings a wealth of financial and executive level managerial experience that will be a tremendous asset in these challenging economic times.”

“I also want to thank and commend Tony Rodgers for his six years of leadership and innovation at AHCCCS,” Governor Brewer stated. “Tony’s experience and depth of knowledge of the healthcare industry have served the State of Arizona well and have helped maintain AHCCCS’ position as a model Medicaid program for our entire nation. I congratulate him on an excellent opportunity to work with HMA.”

Mr. Betlach has served as the AHCCCS deputy director since January 2002. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the financial operations for the agency, the financial regulatory oversight of the contracted health plans, program rate setting, information technology, member services and program integrity functions. Presently, AHCCCS provides coverage for over 1.3 million Arizonans at an annual cost of $9.3 billion.

Prior to joining AHCCCS, Mr. Betlach served as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (OSPB). Governor Jane Hull appointed him to the position in 1997. As OSPB Director, Mr. Betlach served as a senior adviser to the governor and managed a staff of individuals responsible for the development of the executive budget. Mr. Betlach’s service to the

State of Arizona also includes working within OSPB in various capacities from 1991 to 1997, serving as Budget Director at the Arizona Department of Transportation in 1997 before returning to OSPB as Deputy Director. Mr. Betlach also served as the first acting director of the School Facilities Board in
1998.

Mr. Betlach earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin and his Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) in Finance and Budgeting from the University of Arizona. Mr. Betlach resides with his wife Jennifer and their three children in Phoenix.

Mr. Rodgers was appointed AHCCCS Director by former Governor Janet Napolitano in 2003. He has over 30 years of healthcare executive management experience in public hospital systems, health plans and Medicaid Programs. He is recognized nationally as an influential health care industry leader, teacher and innovator, as well as for his contributions to the development of other health care programs. He will take on a consulting role for Health Management Associates, a well-respected national healthcare consulting firm.

Kate Aurelius will be promoted to the Deputy Director position. Ms. Aurelius currently serves as the Assistant Director of the AHCCCS Division of Health Care Management, which includes monitoring AHCCCS contracted health plans. She has over 20 years experience in Medicaid, having started her Arizona career in executive leadership of a Regional Behavioral Health Authority and then serving on the leadership team of an acute care health plan before joining AHCCCS. Ms. Aurelius
has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Colorado State University and a Master’s in Business
Administration from Webster University.

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