Governor Greg Abbott has announced the retirement of Cecile Erwin Young as Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), effective January 2, 2026.
In a statement, Governor Abbott recognized Young’s nearly forty years of service to Texas. “Commissioner Young served Texas selflessly for almost four decades, and her lifelong dedication to improving the health and well-being of Texans is unmatched,” said Governor Abbott. “Throughout her leadership at Texas Health and Human Services and her career as a public servant, she demonstrated her commitment to excellence and integrity, and remained focused on caring for Texans and helping them thrive. She leaves a remarkable legacy. I thank her for her exceptional service to the State of Texas and to generations of Texans.”
Commissioner Young also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this role. “I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for entrusting me to serve in this important role. It has truly been the highlight of my career,” said Commissioner Young. “This agency impacts every Texan, and I have been honored to serve the people of this state alongside our dedicated staff.”
During Young’s tenure, she played a key role in stabilizing system operations and workforce at HHS, increasing transparency, and reforming regulatory frameworks within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). She helped secure a 10-year extension for the federal Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver, which supports healthcare funding across Texas. Additionally, she oversaw changes that strengthened the state’s healthcare safety net through redesigns in directed and supplemental payment programs.
Young also led efforts to update Medicaid managed care procurement processes, implement improvements in maternal health services, develop HHSC’s first artificial intelligence policy, and manage expansion projects involving eleven state psychiatric hospitals.
The announcement regarding Young’s successor will be made at a later date.
