Alex Adams tells Idaho senators he will prioritize child welfare, transparency as Health and Welfare director nominee

Alex Adams, the governor's nominee to lead the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, told the state Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Oct. 23 that his top agency priority is child welfare and that he has undertaken organizational, regulatory and financial changes since taking the post seven months ago.

Adams, who introduced himself as the department's director and described his management approach as "quality over quantity," told senators he has moved to reduce regulatory and statutory clutter, strengthen financial oversight and expand support for foster families and adoptions.

Why it matters: The Department of Health and Welfare is Idaho's largest state agency and administers Medicaid, child-welfare programs, food assistance and other services that directly affect thousands of residents. Adams' stated reforms and budget controls could change how those services are delivered and funded.

Adams told the committee he oversees roughly 3,000 employees across 74 buildings in 37 locations and that, since taking the post last June, he has sought to focus the agency's work by trimming…