Governor Shumlin appoints Steven Costantino as DVHA commissioner

Gov. Peter Shumlin has announced that Steven Costantino, former Secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA). Current DVHA Commissioner Mark Larson announced in January that he would step down in March.

“We’re excited to welcome Steven to the team and to Vermont,” Gov. Shumlin said. “I have known Steven since our days serving in our respective state legislatures and understand him to be a dynamic, hands-on leader. His experience in both the executive and legislative branches of government will serve him and Vermonters well in this position.”

"Steven Costantino's experience with Medicaid and healthcare reform will be critical as we move toward providing affordable healthcare coverage for all Vermonters," said Agency of Human Services Secretary, Hal Cohen.

Costantino most recently served as Secretary of the State of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the umbrella agency that administers the state’s Medicaid program and oversees the state’s principal health and human services agencies, including the Department of Children, Youth and Families, the Department of Human Services and its divisions of Elderly and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health, and the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. In this position, Costantino was involved in every phase of implementing Rhode Island’s Medicaid expansion and health insurance marketplace, HealthSource RI. Prior to being appointed to head the EOHHS, Costantino served eight consecutive terms in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and served as Finance Committee Chairman from 2004 to 2011.

"Vermont is known nationally for its leadership, innovation and creative approach to Medicaid. I am so excited and honored to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access," said Steven Costantino. "I look forward to drawing upon my successful experience in Rhode Island to help Vermont develop its healthcare reform efforts."

The Governor thanked Commissioner Larson for his years of service to Vermont and Deputy Commissioner Lori Collins for her willingness to step in on an interim basis as commissioner. Secretary Cohen made clear that the leadership change at DVHA would not impact the ongoing work to improve Vermont Health Connect. Health Commissioner Harry Chen will continue provide daily executive oversight of Vermont Health Connect, Integrated Eligibility, and Medicaid Management Information Systems projects, reporting directly to AHS Secretary Hal Cohen. Chen took over day-to-day management of Vermont Health Connect from Chief of Health Care Reform Lawrence Miller at the beginning of the legislative session.