"As a leader, as a policymaker, hope is a prerequisite." The state's departing health secretary reflects on her eventful tenure.
As Louisiana health secretary, Rebekah Gee oversaw Medicaid expansion, struck a novel drug-pricing deal — and faced constant Republican attacks over her pro-abortion-rights record — before resigning last month. Gee sat down with POLITICO's Dan Diamond to reflect on her four years leading Louisiana's health department and what she's learned about public health and politics.
After the break, POLITICO's Alice Miranda Ollstein walks through the case previously known as June Medical v. Gee, one of the most anticipated Supreme Court cases this year, which could reshape abortion access in America.
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Gee oversaw Louisiana's Medicaid expansion, which has enrolled more than 400,000 people, amid criticism from Republicans.
Gee also hammered out a novel "subscription" model to rein in spending on Hepatitis C drugs.
A New York Times op-ed writer named Gee as one of five people who "spread hope" in 2019.
Gee split with her boss, Gov. John Bel Edwards, over whether to allow a proton beam imaging center.
Chosen as Louisiana health secretary in 2016, Gee faced persistent criticism from anti-abortion groups.