MassHealth Director Leaves for California Role

As Massachusetts residents continue to hitch up the wagon bound for greener pastures, you can add a top department head to the list.

MassHealth Director Michael Levine Announces Departure

MassHealth Director Michael Levine is heading to California, about as far west as you can get from Massachusetts without falling into the ocean.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie recently announced that Levine has been appointed to lead San Francisco's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH). Lurie cited Levine's "deep experience addressing the intersection of health and homelessness."

State House News Service reported, "Levine told staff Tuesday that his last day leading the roughly $23 billion program will be June 12, calling his departure 'bittersweet' after more than a decade at the agency."

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Challenges Facing MassHealth

Levine's exit comes as Massachusetts is facing a myriad of problems, including concerns about potential federal budget cuts, rising costs, and tightening eligibility requirements.

According to SHNS, MassHealth "covers nearly two million residents and accounts for more than one-third of the state budget."

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A Pattern of Leadership Departures

Commonwealth Beacon reported Levine is the latest in a long line of top officials, including cabinet-level officials, to depart since Maura Healey took office in 2023.

The list includes Housing Secretary Ed Augustus, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Public Safety Secretary Terrence Reidy, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago, and Top Counsel Paige Scott-Reed.

Who can forget Lamar Cook, who helped run Healey's Western Massachusetts office, and then was arrested on drug and gun charges? Springfield's WWLP-TV 22 reported Cook was released on bail in March.

Healey Responds to Levine Exit

In a statement to SHNS, Healey said Levine's leadership "has been outstanding," particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and "major federal policy shifts."