Longtime public health official Bruce Greenstein, who headed the Louisiana Department of Health more than a decade ago before resigning amid the contract scandal, was appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry and once again leads the agency.
When announcing his appointment on Friday, Landry called Greenstein. Greenstein has played several leadership roles in state and federal health agencies, a leader “from Medicaid to acute care” and “a deep understanding of the healthcare system.”
Greenstein’s appointment follows Michael Harrington’s retirement eight months after work, and is working with Louisiana surgeon General Ralph Abraham to restructure the health programs in major states, including Medicaid. Prioritize individual medical autonomy. The agency also focuses on chronic disease prevention, maternal health, mental health and lifestyle-based interventions.
As Health Secretary, Greenstein will manage LDH’s operations and $21 billion budget. The secretary works in conjunction with the Surgeon General, a position created by the Louisiana Legislature in 2024, and is tasked with advising health policy setting and strategic initiatives. According to the department, the secretary will implement the recommendations of the surgeon general.
“The appointment of Bruce Greenstein as secretary to the Louisiana Department of Health, marks a new era of healthcare in Louisiana,” Landry said in a prepared statement. “No one is more qualified than Bruce.”
Experience and claims
Greenstein served as a leadership role in state and federal health agencies. Before his first stint at LDH, he played senior roles at the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and at Microsoft.
He was appointed former Governor Bobby Jindal in 2010 to lead the state health department, but resigned to how, among 2011 and federal probes, the contract for the state Medicaid contract in 2011 was awarded to Client Network Services, a former employer who served as vice president from 2005 to 2006.
Greenstein initially downplayed contact with CNSI, but later admitted to exchanging messages with company executives. He said the conversation was personal. In his testimony, Greenstein acknowledged that he may have handled several aspects of the contract differently, but argued that he has not received payments or benefits in connection with the contract awarded to CNSI.
The federal investigation did not lead to charges, but the state’s large ju court was later convened and in 2014 was charged with nine counts of perjury allegedly lying during the 2011 state Senate confirmation hearing and the 2014 major ju court proceedings related to the contract.
The charges were removed in 2016 while Landry was attorney general. At the time, Landry’s Office was citing insufficient evidence. になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
The civil lawsuit filed by CNSI against the state over the termination of the contract was resolved in the same year. The company is now known as Acentra Health after the merger in 2023.
After leaving the state government, Greenstein later served as Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during President Trump’s first term.
Most recently, he worked as an executive at the Lafayette-based LHC Group, a leading home healthcare company, and advised Gov. Jeff Landry on healthcare policy. According to a Louisiana Lighting Device report.
The Louisiana Department of Health and the governor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on employment.
“Meaningful Changes”
In a prepared statement, Greenstein said he is committed to “promoting meaningful change” as secretary, referring to both the challenges and opportunities for Louisiana ahead.
“When I step into this role again, I’m more committed than ever to building up the progress we’ve made and fostering meaningful change,” Greenstein said.
Greenstein also received praise from the state’s political leaders. Landry’s announcement states that Abraham, US Rep. Clay Higgins and Sen. Cameron Henry all supported the appointment.
