Valerie Harr Appointed Director of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
For Immediate Release:
December 3, 2010
For Information, Contact:
Pam Ronan, 609-292-3703
Valerie Harr Appointed Director of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
TRENTON Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez today appointed Valerie J. Harr Director of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, which oversees Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare and over $3 billion in federal matching funds, annually.Ms. Harr fills the vacancy created by the retirement of John R. Guhl, who served as director since 2008 and in various other roles within Medicaid since 1985. Mr. Guhl will begin a new career with the Region 2 Office of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within the US Department of Health and Human Services.
“We're so proud of John and we'll miss him, but Valerie is incredibly capable and will lead the division skillfully as it embarks on new initiatives under the federal Affordable Care Act,” said Commissioner Velez. “She has a superior grasp of the issues and an unmatched familiarity with NJ’s Medicaid program. We’re so glad she accepted this position.”
Prior to the appointment, Ms. Harr was deputy director, leading the division’s work in the areas of eligibility, program, and policy. She has worked at the division since 2002 and previously worked in the Department of Treasury and at the Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. She is a member of the National Association of Medicaid Directors and is co-chair of the CMS/State Children’s Health Insurance Program Technical Advisory Group.
“I am honored Commissioner Velez and Governor Christie have chosen me as director,” said Ms. Harr. “I believe strongly in the mission of the division and I’m optimistic about our ability to evolve appropriately as health care and subsidized insurance programs advance.”
NJ's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs provide state supported health insurance to nearly 1.3 million NJ residents. The division employs 460 people who work in Trenton and in Medical Assistance Customer Centers (MACCs) throughout the state. The division’s FY'11 budget is approximately $6 billion.
Ms. Harr begins serving as director, immediately. She lives in Lawrence Township, Mercer County with her husband and two children.
