Sue Birch serves as director of the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), the state’s largest health care purchaser, and its behavioral health authority. Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in January 2018, Birch oversees efforts to transform the health care system, helping ensure Washington residents have access to high-quality, affordable health care.

A nurse by training, Birch is passionate about improving population health and reducing overmedicalization by focusing on the social determinants of health. She has led efforts to combat the opioid public health crisis through increased access to treatment and public education, eliminating hepatitis C through innovative value-based drug purchasing, and implementing a Medicaid benefit for supportive housing and supported employment.

Under Birch’s leadership, Washington implemented Cascade Care, the first-in-nation public option aimed at improving access to high-quality, affordable health care, as well as being an integral partner in Washinton State achieving the first ever long-term care state insurance program, WA Cares. Birch also led an inter-governmental team to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.