LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday announced his appointment of Drew Gonshorowski as director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care for the Department of Health and Human Services, drawing immediate concern from at least one state lawmaker.

Gonshorowski has served for the past 12 years as a policy analyst, most recently as senior research fellow for Paragon Health Institute, and before that with the the Heritage Foundation conservative think tank.

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, on social media, pointed out that there was much talk about cabinet appointments by President-elect Donald Trump. She said it “is important to look at what is happening at the state level as well.”

Of Gonshorowski’s appointment, Cavanaugh said that it “perfectly aligns with Trump’s plans to dismantle the ACA (Affordable Care Act).”

According to a news release from Pillen’s office, Gonshorowski will start his new role Dec. 9, at a salary of $185,000 a year.

Pillen’s office described Gonshorowski’s current work as dealing largely with Medicaid and health insurance areas. He has experience in evaluating the effects of reforms on health policy, Social Security and retirement.

Gonshorowski received a bachelor’s degree in economics at Hillsdale College in Michigan and a master’s degree in economics at Suffolk University in Massachusetts.

He takes over for Matt Ahern, who was deputy director of the division prior to stepping up as interim director when Kevin Bagley resigned. Ahern is to return to his previous role when Gonshorowski starts.

“I appreciate Matt’s public service during his time at DHHS,” said Pillen. “I thank him for his oversight of MLTC over this past year.”

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-appoints-new-dhhs-director-of...