Governor Craig Benson has nominated Nicholas Vailas(Vay-les) to be New Hampshire's next Health and Human Services Commissioner.
NHPR's David Darman has more.
As a candidate, Benson promised he would act quickly if elected governor.
He did just that by nominating Nicholas Vailas to be the next HHS commissioner.
Benson says Vailas is the kind of official he wants in the state.
I have to tell you, I think all of state government needs some fresh thinking and a new approach. That?s why I?m particularly fond of nick vailas as a change agent to health and human services. He?s a person that, the quote is, ?thinks outside the box?. :14
Vailas has a very different background than typical HHS officials.
Health and Human Services is the state?s largest agency.
It handles budgets worth millions of dollars in state and federal funds.
But Vailas has never run a healthclinic or a welfare program.
Valais is a healthcare business owner.
He founded the Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center.
He also serves as the President of the New Hampshire Ambulatory Surgery Association.
Representative Gloria Seldin, a Concord Democrat, says she?s disappointed Benson has picked Valais to be the next commissioner.
Seldin says she?s sorry former Commissioner Donald Shumway left the post.
11 02... We need someone with that kind of a background, that?s worked in human services, that?s worked for people. I?m not saying working for profit is bad. But you got to have a feel for people and programs to head up this large an agency. 11
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Vailas needs the approval of the Executive Council to become the next HHS commissioner.
At least one Executive Councilor shows great enthusiasm for Valais.
Councilor Ray Wieczorek had worked with the nominee in Manchester.
Wieczorek downplayed the criticism that Valais has the wrong background to run HHS.
There isn?t any person I know of that can bring you all of the experience, you know, to cover all of those different departments. So, give me a person who has good business experience, good basic knowledge. Has good organizational skills and I?ll show you a person that will succeed. And that?s nick.
Other executive councilors say they want to talk more with Valais before they decide whether to support him.
For instance, the councilors want to know more about how Valais would deal with hospitals and rising health care costs.
Councilor Peter Spaulding, Republican from Hopkinton, says he?s in favor of moving things forward in HHS, but he wants to make sure Valais is the kind of leader HHS needs.
Throughout state government we should always be looking to change. We can always do things better. And hopefully, its change for the better. I mean..change can work both ways?.
The Executive Council may vote on Valais?s confirmation as early as next week.
