Senate Health panel hears Ryan Moran and Dennis Worsham; both reported out with confirmation recommendations
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Summary
The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee held confirmation hearings Feb. 3 for Ryan Moran, nominated as director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, and Dennis Worsham, nominated as Secretary of Health. Both nominees described priorities for coverage, behavioral health and rebuilding public trust; the committee reported both appointments with recommendations for confirmation.
The Washington State Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee on Feb. 3 heard public confirmation testimony from Ryan Moran, governor’s nominee for director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, and Dennis Worsham, nominee for secretary of the Department of Health. After questioning, the committee reported both appointments with recommendations that they be confirmed subject to signatures.
Moran opened by recounting a personal history in rural Appalachia and his experience as Maryland’s Medicaid director, and said he joined HCA “to lead the Washington State Healthcare Authority at such a critical moment.” He told senators his top priorities are mitigating coverage loss connected to federal policy changes, closing gaps in health disparities, and strengthening agency operations and accountability. Moran highlighted Washington’s Medicaid transformation waiver and state tools such as the health‑cost transparency board and prescription drug affordability board.
Senator Schlatter and other members asked about Moran’s first impressions of Washington’s delivery system, social determinants of health and how the agency should respond to federal change. Moran said Washington should lead on HR1 implementation and build systems to “mitigate coverage loss,” stressing coordination across ASOs, ACHs and MCOs and an emphasis on preserving coverage for providers and communities.
Dennis Worsham, introduced for the Department of Health confirmation, described a 33‑year public‑health career and a 100‑day listening tour visiting all 35 local health jurisdictions. He said his leadership will rest on three commitments: partnership and collaboration with local and tribal partners, “science guided by judgment,” and accountability to stabilize the public‑health workforce and rebuild trust. Worsham answered senators’ questions on behavioral‑health access, vaccine availability, and communicating public‑health information in the face of misinformation.
Both nominees received positive exchanges on their experience and engagement with the legislature. After the public hearings concluded, the committee moved to executive session and later voted to report Ryan Moran (gubernatorial appointment 9291) and Dennis Worsham (gubernatorial appointment 9307) with recommendations that the full Senate confirm them.
What’s next: The committee’s recommendations are subject to the usual signature process; the nominations proceed to further Senate floor action consistent with the chamber’s rules.
