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Louisiana Department of Health officials testify; committee moves into executive session on confirmations
Summary
Louisiana Department of Health officials, including the surgeon general and the department’s new secretary, testified to the Senate committee about priorities for Medicaid, behavioral health, and system reform; the committee later voted to enter executive session for confirmation matters.
Multiple officials from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) appeared before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on June 11, 2025, and described priorities for Medicaid, behavioral health, and organizational change before the committee moved into executive session to consider confirmations.
Dr. (former Congressman) Abraham, introduced as the surgeon general, told the committee LDH serves “the 1,600,000 Louisiana residents that we, help hopefully with their health care and their health care needs,” and described the agency as touching “every Louisianan in some form or fashion almost every day.” He said the agency’s work ranges from emergency preparedness to routine public‑health responses and emphasized the staff team behind LDH’s work.
LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein outlined his background in federal and state health roles and told the committee the department’s “plan in the department is to break down silos, make programs work together, and simplify without being simplistic.” Greenstein said the department has “the largest budget in state government” and stated, “spending almost $20,000,000,000 this year isn't getting us as far as we like it to be.” He described goals including improving Medicaid efficiency, integrating behavioral health services, and bringing patients and providers closer together.
Undersecretary Drew Maranto and Gary Williams, appointed assistant secretary for the Office of Aging and Adult Services, also testified about their experience and roles at LDH. Maranto described a “1 team approach to Louisiana,” said he has worked across every parish, and noted his prior roles in federal and state government. Williams outlined his administrative experience and said he looks forward to improving services within the Office of Aging and Adult Services.
Committee members asked routine introductory questions; the senators also confirmed that nominees had communicated with their state senators. After the public testimony, Senator Miller moved “to go into executive session for the purpose of the matters related to the confirmation of appointments.” The sergeant-at-arms cleared the room and the motion was adopted; the committee record shows the executive session motion was granted with no objection.
The public portion of the hearings emphasized priorities and personal backgrounds rather than final confirmation votes; the committee’s vote to enter executive session indicates further confirmation deliberations and votes took place privately.
