Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names former lawmaker, health reformer to DSHS helm

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today named Dennis Braddock, a former state lawmaker and health-care reformer from Seattle, to lead the state Department of Social and Health Services.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am to bring Dennis Braddock into my cabinet as secretary of DSHS," the governor said.

"I know him well from our days together in the Legislature. I have always admired his passion for helping the less fortunate, first as a health care reformer seeking fair access to health care, and now as the leader of the agency that protects the abused, the disabled, our elders and those who need financial assistance.

"I also am counting on Dennis' deep understanding of health care systems to help us as we struggle with one of the biggest budget problems facing state government today - the rising cost of health care as a percentage of social services spending," the governor said.

Braddock, who replaces retiring Secretary Lyle Quasim, said he was equally pleased to take the job.

"I think too many of us have forgotten how important social services are to the economic well-being of everyone," Braddock said. "It is DSHS that helps people get back on their feet, and into productive lives and productive jobs. Think what it would be like for all of us if there were no place for these people to go for help."

Braddock added, "I think we have tended to forget in recent years that DSHS is the front line in this state for social justice. The people who work for DSHS are the people who give refugees a hand up; who understand and work everyday with poverty; with the abused, with the disabled and with our senior citizens.

"I'm happy to be here, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," he said.

In appointing the 56-year-old Braddock, the governor noted his long legislative record as a leader and champion for a health care system accessible to all people.

Locke also said he was impressed with Braddock's work in recent years as the founder of a community-based health plan that served low-income Washington citizens. Braddock only a few months ago stepped down as chief of executive officer of the Community Health Plan of Washington and the Community Health Network of Washington.

"And let's not forget Dennis' personal commitment and compassion for people. I don't know too many people who would do what Dennis did when he donated a kidney to a friend in need three years ago," the governor said.

Locke was referring to Braddock's 1997 decision to submit to an operation and donate a kidney to a gravely ill friend, Carlos Oliveras, head of the Migrant Health Center in Yakima.

Braddock won the Distinguished Flying Cross and other combat decorations as an Army helicopter pilot, serving in Vietnam for part of his 1969-72 year enlistment. Braddock also served a two-year stint in the Peace Corps in East Pakistan as a rural public works project planner from 1963 to 1965.

Braddock founded an environmental consulting firm in 1973. He served on the Bellingham City Council from 1974 to 1982, and in the state House of Representatives from 1983 to 1992, where he served as chairman of the House Health Care Committee.

Braddock was among leaders who crafted much of the state's health care reform legislation, including creation of the Basic Health Plan for the working poor and several protections for health insurance consumers.

He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Washington State University, and has performed graduate work in environmental planning and public administration at Western Washington University.

He has published several studies and presentations on health care, and received numerous awards and honors for his work in the health care field.

The position will carry an annual salary of $126,563, effective July 1.

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