Mississippi Medicaid director resigns. Read why he’s leaving

Mississippi Division of Medicaid Director Drew Snyder will leave his current role for a position in the private sector.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves’ office announced Wednesday afternoon the news of Snyder’s departure, which will happen on Oct. 31. The office also said in a press release that Cindy Bradshaw will be taking over the Mississippi Division of Medicaid’s top spot.

“Drew Snyder is a talented and dedicated public servant who has driven positive, lasting change in our state’s Medicaid program,” Reeves of Snyder in the press release. “I appreciate his acumen and his exemplary leadership and wish him continued success in the next chapter of his career.”

Snyder became director of MDM in 2018 during Gov. Phil Bryant’s administration. In his time, he has worked to balance the agency’s budget and overseen the period of Medicaid patients’ enrollment rising after a moratorium was placed on removing Medicaid patients from the state plan during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Many of those patients have now been disenrolled after the moratorium ended last year.

He has also overseen the implementation of a program that expanded Medicaid eligibility for women who have just given birth and a new program that was passed by the Legislature this year to give pregnant women prenatal care access.

That new program is currently in limbo over the eligibility requirements set by the state.

Snyder recently during a Joint-Legislative Budget Committee hearing said the agency was in the best “fiscal shape”.

“Working with the Division of Medicaid team, health care professionals, state leaders, and other partners to enhance value and elevate quality in the Mississippi Medicaid program has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” Snyder said. “I’m pleased with the progress that has been made, and I’m optimistic about what can be accomplished in the years ahead for the betterment of Medicaid members and Mississippi’s economic health.” 

Bradshaw has been serving as Medicaid’s Deputy Executive Director for Eligibility since April 2023, and she was previously a state insurance administrator. Bradshaw also has nearly two decades of experience in health plan operations for private insurers, the press release said.

“With deep experience in health plan operations in the public and private sectors, Cindy Bradshaw is well-prepared to lead Mississippi’s Medicaid program,” Reeves said of Bradshaw. “She has a proven record of elevating operational performance and advancing initiatives aimed at improving outcomes and protecting taxpayers. She is an excellent choice to ensure continuity and continued progress in the Medicaid program.”

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.