Governor Greg Abbott has announced the upcoming retirement of Cecile Erwin Young, Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), effective January 2, 2026.
“Commissioner Young served Texas selflessly for almost four decades, and her lifelong dedication to improving the health and well-being of Texans is unmatched,” Governor Abbott said. “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.”
Young also issued a statement regarding her tenure: “I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for entrusting me to serve in this important role. It has truly been the highlight of my career. This agency impacts every Texan, and I have been honored to serve the people of this state alongside our dedicated staff.”
During Young’s time as executive commissioner, she played a key role in stabilizing operations and workforce at HHS, increasing transparency, and reforming regulatory frameworks within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Her efforts led to securing a 10-year extension of the federal Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver, which strengthened Texas’ health care safety net by redesigning payment programs.
She also reformed the Medicaid managed care procurement process, implemented improvements in maternal health services, guided the creation of HHSC’s first artificial intelligence policy, and oversaw expansion projects involving 11 state psychiatric hospitals.
A decision regarding Young’s successor will be announced later.
