Prairie State Wire

Director Theresa Eagleson of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will be stepping down at the end of 2023 after a five-year tenure. Governor JB Pritzker has appointed Lizzy Whitehorn, currently First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services, to take over as Director starting January 1, 2024.

Eagleson's leadership at HFS has been marked by initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare disparities and enhancing equitable systems in Illinois. Her efforts have included expanding access to various healthcare services and reforming payment structures for nursing homes. "Theresa has dedicated countless hours of work and a lifetime of Medicaid and health care expertise to my administration over nearly five years," said Governor Pritzker. He added that reforms under her guidance would "forever transform the system and lives of thousands of Illinoisans."

Significant progress has been made since the implementation of nursing home rate reforms in 2022, which linked funding to staffing quality. Matt Hartman, President & CEO of the Illinois Health Care Association, praised Eagleson’s leadership in achieving these changes: "This historic change prioritized quality, transparency and accountability as core principles to drive better resident outcomes."

During her time as director, Eagleson also signed COVID home response contracts with providers to reduce hospitalizations. She initiated Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives (HTC) aimed at reducing healthcare disparities through innovative projects. Larry McCulley from Southern Illinois Health Care Foundation noted that these efforts have improved access to various community services.

Ollie Idowu from the Illinois Primary Health Care Association acknowledged Eagleson's advocacy for positive change: "Under her leadership...Illinois is stronger and healthier." Kim Foltz from Aetna Medicaid highlighted how the program became a national leader under Eagleson's guidance.

Before leading HFS, Eagleson served as Medicaid director from 2007 to 2014 and held other significant roles in state government since 1990. Reflecting on her career, she stated: "Serving the people of Illinois...has been my life's work." She expressed pride in HFS's achievements during her tenure.

Whitehorn brings experience from her role as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services since 2019. She played a key role in pandemic response efforts and other health initiatives within the state government. "I'm honored to continue this work at HFS," Whitehorn said about her upcoming position.

The transition aims for continuity in leadership at HFS as Whitehorn prepares to step into her new role next year.