UPDATE: Friday, February 3, 2012

Gov. Sam Brownback has named a social worker and former legislator as secretary of the state's largest social services agency and has drafted an order reorganizing it and two other agencies.

Brownback announced Friday that former state Rep. Phyllis Gilmore will lead the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. After leaving the House in 2000, she was executive director of the state board that regulates mental health professionals.

The governor released an executive order that will shrink SRS so that it focuses on helping children and families.

The order also reorganizes the Department on Aging and the Department of Health and Environment.

The changes are part of Brownback's plan to overhaul the state's $2.9 billion Medicaid program, which provides health coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Gov. Sam Brownback is preparing to fill a vacancy in his Cabinet and sign an executive order that advances his plan to overhaul the state's Medicaid program by reorganizing three state agencies.

Brownback's staff wasn't saying ahead of his Friday morning news conference what major administrative position would be filled.

However, Jeff Kahrs has been serving as acting secretary of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services since Secretary Rob Siedlecki stepped down at the end of last year.

SRS would be reorganized under the Medicaid plan, along with the Department on Aging and the Department of Health and Environment.
Programs would be shifted among the agencies, and they'd get new names.

The $2.9 billion Medicaid program provides health coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly.