Davis Announces Appointments for Health Care Positions

Gov. Gray Davis (D) last week announced a number of health care-related appointments to state agencies, including the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Department of Mental Health and the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. Following is a brief summary of the appointments:

• Department of Veterans' Affairs: Davis named George Andries as deputy secretary for veterans' homes. In that position, Andries will be responsible for monitoring all aspects of medical care for veterans who reside in the state's veterans' facilities. Andries currently serves as the director/CEO of the Veterans' Affairs Domiciliary in White City, Ore., and has worked with military health issues for 30 years (Office of the Governor release, 3/21).
  
• Department of Mental Health: Davis announced the appointment of William Dawson as the department's chief deputy director. Dawson will manage the "day-to-day" operations of the department and assist the director in establishing policies and procedures regarding health care delivery by hospitals, counties and other providers. Dawson currently works in management consulting for Cooperative Personnel Services. His appointment must be approved by the state Senate (Office of the Governor release, 3/21).
  
• Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board: Cliff Allenby and Diana Bonta have been selected to serve as members of the board, which advises the governor and the Legislature on strategies to reduce the number of uninsured and determine the terms of service of major medical risk coverage. Board members do not receive a salary but must be confirmed by the state Senate. Bonta is the director of the Department of Health Services and Allenby is the director of the Department of Developmental Services (Office of the Governor release, 3/21).