The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has hired Wyoming’s Medicaid director and Iowa native Lee Grossman to lead the State of Iowa’s Medicaid program.
Mr. Grossman will begin as Iowa Medicaid director in early September, Iowa HHS said in a Thursday, July 31 news release.
He brings more than 14 years of experience from the Wyoming Department of Health, where he most recently served as its Medicaid director since February 2023.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Lee back home to Iowa as he steps into this role,” Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia said in announcing his appointment. “His leadership and invaluable expertise make him an ideal fit to guide our Medicaid team through this critical work at this critical time.”
Ms. Garcia added “As I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Lee, what I see is deep Medicaid knowledge, a steady hand and a clear commitment to the people this program supports. Lee’s knowledge of building rural health care access will be an attribute perfectly focused for this moment.”
Mr. Grossman takes the helm of Iowa Medicaid as state and federal lawmakers have been making sweeping changes to the system that will affect who is eligible. They also wil implement new work requirements of other recipients to maintain Medicaid coverage.
“It’s an honor to return to the state where I grew up and contribute in such a meaningful way,” Mr. Grossman said in the release. “I look forward to working with this team that’s deeply committed to helping thousands of Iowans live healthier lives in the community of their choice.”
Ready to get to work
On his Linkedin account, Mr. Grossman wrote Thursday that he “Can’t wait to get to work in service of Iowans and the 700,000 Iowa Medicaid members.”
“The last 14-plus years in Wyoming has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams. I’ll be forever grateful to the top-notch team at Wyoming Medicaid for our shared accomplishments and everything I’ve learned,” he wrote.
Mr. Grossman earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government in 2009 from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Wyoming.
Mr. Grossman will replace Elizabeth Matney, who announced last October that she was leaving the state’s employment. At the time, she was both Medicaid director, a role she held since June 2021, and HHS chief operating officer and deputy director, both additional roles she assumed in June 2023. Ms. Matney, whose last day with HHS was Nov. 1, 2024, has opened her own Des Moines consulting business, Andeli Consulting.
With her departure, HHS said her duties have been covered by other HHS directors.
Mr. Grossman was hired following a comprehensive nationwide search.
HHS said it also used the interim period to conduct an internal evaluation to strengthen the Medicaid team’s structure and lay the foundation for long-term success. That foundational work adds expertise in-house and deepens the agency’s commitment to strong oversight and accountability, the release said.
Iowa Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 700,000 Iowans each year. That includes children, low-income individuals, pregnant women, older adults and people with disabilities.
