Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte announced on Wednesday his pick for state health department director.
Gianforte tapped Adam Meier to lead the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which manages Child Protective Services, the state Medicaid program and various other programs for low-income Montanans.
According to a news release, Meier led Kentucky Health and Family Services from May 2018 to December 2019. During that time, the state tried to implement expanded Medicaid rules that would have required some enrollees to work, go to school or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to keep their coverage.
The requirements were blocked by a judge and then rescinded by recently-elected Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in 2019. The Montana Legislature passed similar Medicaid expansion work requirements in 2019 that are awaiting federal approval.
Meier also served as deputy chief of staff for former Republican Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin.