Matt Lesser

Sen. Lesser on Appointment of New Leaders for the Department of Social Services and the Office of Health Strategy

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Senate Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, released the following statement after Governor Lamont announced that he will appoint Andrea Barton Reeves as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and Dr. Deidre Gifford as executive director of the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS) when he starts his second term in office in the new year.

“I have been continually impressed by Commissioner Gifford at DSS. Under her leadership, Connecticut has taken big steps to address the cost of health insurance by creating the Covered Connecticut program and also expanded coverage to underserved communities including undocumented mothers and children. Her appointment to head OHS is a strong statement that Governor Lamont is looking to make his mark on health policy in his next term.”

Sen. Lesser also said, “Andrea Barton Reeves has done an outstanding job launching Connecticut’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Authority and I am excited to work with her in her new role at DSS. I want to extend my congratulations to her on a major appointment.”