News Search

OLYMPIA — Today Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Ryan Moran director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, effective August 18. Moran currently serves as Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing and Medicaid Director for the Maryland Department of Health.

“Ryan’s passion and experience make him a great choice to lead the Health Care Authority,” Ferguson said. “His expertise will help us provide equitable, high-quality health care to the people of Washington.” 

“I am honored to join Governor Ferguson to lead the Washington State Health Care Authority to support strengthening the health and wellbeing of nearly a third of Washingtonians through the delivery of health care coverage via Medicaid, public and school employee benefits, and behavioral health and recovery,” Moran said. “I look forward to advancing the work and mission of the agency in such a critical time for health care nationally and am committed to ensuring those we serve receive access to integrated, person-centered care. Through strong partnership and collaboration with communities, sister state agencies, health care providers, health plans, and other stakeholders, we will leverage all the assets and resources in the Health Care Authority to ensure a health care system that is responsive to the needs of Washingtonians.”

Moran has overseen Maryland’s Medicaid program since April 2023, serving more than 1.5 million Marylanders receiving critical acute, outpatient, and behavioral health services and 125,000 providers that serve Medicaid participants.

In early 2025, Moran served as Acting Secretary of Health at the Maryland Department of Health. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, which seeks to elevate and support 56 state and territory Medicaid programs in providing coverage to those they serve.

Previously, Moran served as Chief Executive Officer for Whitman-Walker Health System, a community-centered enterprise committed to advancing social justice and equality through health.

As Assistant Vice President, Care Transformation for MedStar Health's four hospitals in the Baltimore region, Moran oversaw nearly $130 million in community benefit reporting.

Moran holds a doctor of public health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where his research explored peer recovery specialist interventions to address opioid use and reduce acute care costs. He was named a John Hume Scholar at Johns Hopkins for his potential in future significant contributions to the field of public health.

Moran earned bachelor’s degrees in public policy and business administration from the University of Charleston, and a master’s in health services administration from Xavier University.

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement regarding the latest revenue forecast from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, which projects revenue over the next four years to be $720 million lower than the Legislature assumed in its budget:

“While this revenue forecast is disappointing, it is not surprising. We knew that things were unlikely to improve in the near term, especially in light of continued chaos from the Trump Administration — including tariffs, which have an outsized negative impact on a trade-dependent state like Washington. It is particularly discouraging given the current efforts by the Trump Administration to make draconian cuts to Medicaid, education and food benefits. If those move forward, it will mean billions of dollars in cuts impacting our most vulnerable residents. The forecast makes it abundantly clear that we as a state cannot replace all of those dollars.

“My team is still analyzing the information in this forecast. At this time, I do not anticipate calling a special session. We are closely monitoring developments from the federal government that could force me to revisit that question. We will also carefully review the next revenue forecast in September.

“As we begin preparing to draft my first budget, OFM has already communicated to agencies that they need to look for additional savings.

“This will not be easy. We already made many difficult decisions last session in order to bridge our $16 billion shortfall. Washingtonians expect us as leaders to make the tough decisions to live within our means and still deliver core services.”

###

Proposed Medicaid cuts would disproportionately harm Central and Eastern Washington residents, especially children

KENNEWICK — At a press conference Thursday at Kennewick’s Regency Canyon Lakes Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Governor Bob Ferguson joined health care workers and advocates to urge Congress to abandon proposed cuts to safety net services, including Medicaid. Nearly 2 million Washingtonians — roughly 1 in 5 — are enrolled in Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program.

Republicans in Congress are proposing $1.1 trillion in cuts over the next 10 years, including the largest cut to Medicaid in history, totaling $700 billion. The bill threatens health care access in Washington, especially in rural areas, and could cause Washington state to lose an estimated $1 billion in hospital reimbursements by 2031.

Medicaid is a critical partnership between federal and state governments. Washington spends $21 billion on Medicaid annually. Each year, approximately $8 billion of that is paid for by the state, and $13 billion if paid for by the federal government.

These proposals would result in significant cuts in Washington. The House proposal calls for $2 billion in cuts over four years, and the Senate proposal calls for $3 billion. 

“President Trump and Republicans in Congress are threatening our health care in order to give tax breaks to billionaires,” Governor Ferguson said. “If Congress fails to do the right thing and abandon this harmful proposal, our social safety net in Washington will be gutted. These Medicaid cuts would be catastrophic to our state’s health care system and the 2 million Washingtonians who depend on it.” 

Britton Winterrose joined Governor Ferguson and other speakers at Thursday’s event. Winterrose is the father of a 5-year-old girl named Leda, who was born with a rare form of congenital central sleep apnea. Leda requires oxygen to sleep. Without it, she stops breathing in her sleep.

“Without Medicaid, my daughter’s next nap could be her last,” Winterrose said. “The only reason we can sleep at all is because Medicaid has provided the durable medical equipment and supplies needed to support her.”

Children will be particularly impacted by the proposed Medicaid cuts. Statewide, 800,000 children rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage. In at least two-thirds of Washington’s 39 counties, more than half of all children are covered by Medicaid. In Central Washington, 70 percent of all children are enrolled in Medicaid. In some counties, that number is even greater. For example, approximately 80 percent of kids in Yakima County and approximately 90 percent of kids in Adams County are on Medicaid. 

Moreover, 70 percent of all births in rural Washington are covered by the program. Medicaid enrollees account for nearly half — 45 percent — of all births statewide.

Other vulnerable populations will also be significantly impacted. More than 105,000 Washingtonians depend on Medicaid for long-term care, and the program covers 3 in 5 nursing home residents and 3 in 8 people with disabilities. Medicaid is also the largest payer for opioid use disorder treatment in the state.

These proposed cuts to Medicaid will not only impact enrollees in the program. The budget under consideration in the U.S. Senate would decimate federal funding for Medicaid over the next five years — fundamentally altering the state’s health care system and how Washington administers Apple Health. This administrative burden is expected to cost the state tens of millions of dollars, at a time when the state faces significant budget challenges.

OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Winthrop resident Rachel Hong to the Okanogan County Superior Court. Hong’s appointment, effective July 3, fills the position that Judge Robert Grim’s resignation will vacate.

Hong is a litigation attorney and longtime federal judicial law clerk with more than two decades of legal experience, including more than 10 years at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. As a career clerk to Judge Barbara Rothstein, Hong drafted hundreds of judicial rulings and supported courtroom proceedings from voir dire through jury instructions.

“Rachel Hong’s legal expertise, commitment to public service and deep connection to Okanogan County inside and outside the courtroom will make her an exceptional Superior Court judge,” Governor Ferguson said.

“I am deeply honored by this appointment, and thank Governor Ferguson for placing his trust in me,” Hong said. “I turn now to earning the trust of the people of Okanogan County, by working tirelessly to ensure that all who come into court are treated with fairness and respect.”

In her legal practice, Hong has represented and guided individuals, corporations and public entities through criminal and civil cases in state and federal courts. She was a litigation attorney at prominent law firms Yarmuth Wilsdon Calfo PLLC and Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe LLP.

Hong also volunteered as an attorney at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

Hong recently spent several years outside the courtroom as an organic farmer in Shelton, where she founded a small-scale organic vegetable farm. After moving to the Methow Valley, she worked on an organic pear and apple orchard, cultivating heirloom fruit and managing farm operations from planting through harvest. She participated in local farmers’ markets and regional food initiatives, gaining a firsthand understanding of the economic pressures and practical realities that rural communities face.

Hong has also worked to strengthen the Methow Valley’s economic and cultural vitality through her service on the board of the TwispWorks Foundation, a nonprofit community development organization dedicated to supporting artists, small businesses and educational initiatives.

Hong is an avid cyclist, outdoor enthusiast and now-amateur gardener.

Hong earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and her law degree from University of Michigan Law School.

SEATTLE – Governor Bob Ferguson today announced he has selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. Washington State Ferries (WSF) will move forward with the contracting process, following the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years.

“We’re restoring domestic service to pre-pandemic levels years ahead of schedule, improving crew retention, and soon will bring our first hybrid-electric vessel into service,” Governor Ferguson said. “After careful consideration and conversations with legislative leaders, I believe Eastern is the best option to build these critically important vessels at a fair cost to our taxpayers.”

“As we follow Governor Ferguson’s direction to focus on service, it’s exciting, as we restore additional vessels on three routes, to also move forward with constructing new ferries,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary for WSF Steve Nevey.

The contract award comes after a comprehensive year-long process of advertising, pre-qualifying shipyards, and answering shipyard requests for clarification. Two shipyards submitted bids. Eastern’s bid was 6% lower than WSF’s own engineer’s estimate, and significantly lower than the other bidder.

The shipyard bid is only part of the new build process. There is an additional approximately $150 million for the first vessel for owner-furnished equipment, construction management, WSF crew training, and risk contingencies. This brings the cost of the first vessel to approximately $405 million, the second to $360 million, and the third to $325 million, as contingency risk decreases with lessons learned from each previous construction.

Making things happen for ferries

Governor Ferguson has made improving Washington’s ferry system a priority of his administration. In March, Governor Ferguson announced his plan to delay the hybrid-electric conversion of two of the state’s largest ferries until after the 2026 World Cup. As a result, WSF expects to return to full domestic service this summer, for the first time since 2019. One hybrid-electric conversion has been completed, on the Wenatchee, which is expected to return to service later this month.

In June, a second vessel was added to the Bremerton route for the first time in three years, cutting wait times by an hour. A third vessel was added to the Triangle Route connecting West Seattle, Vashon Island and Southworth, also for the first time in three years. Beginning July 4, WSF will add a second vessel between Port Townsend and Coupeville for seasonal service for the first time in five years.

Meeting with island communities

Before taking office, Governor Ferguson met with residents of Whidbey Island to discuss the challenges they face because of reduced ferry service. Riding a ferry to and from that meeting, Governor Ferguson had the opportunity to visit a wheelhouse and engine room, hearing directly from the crew about their work.

The Governor plans to continue meeting directly with communities affected by reduced ferry service levels. Governor Ferguson is scheduled to meet with residents in the San Juan Islands on July 14. 

Supporting ferry workers

WSF continues to prioritize workforce recruitment, retention and training efforts to help stabilize the system.

The budget signed by Governor Ferguson invests more than $39 million for crew hiring, retention and training. WSF’s apprenticeship program has helped turn the tide on staffing: WSF is now hiring enough skilled crew to replace those retiring.

WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries millions of people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. For the latest service updates, sign up for rider alerts and track each ferry using the real-time map online.

###