Governor Greg Abbott has announced the retirement of Cecile Erwin Young, Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), effective January 2, 2026.
In a statement, Governor Abbott praised Young’s nearly forty years of service: “Commissioner Young served Texas selflessly for almost four decades, and her lifelong dedication to improving the health and well-being of Texans is unmatched,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “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 expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve: “I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for entrusting me to serve in this important role. It has truly been the highlight of my career,” said Commissioner Young. “This agency impacts every Texan, and I have been honored to serve the people of this state alongside our dedicated staff.”
During Young’s tenure as executive commissioner, she led efforts that stabilized HHS operations and workforce, increased transparency within the agency, and reformed its regulatory framework. Her time at HHSC included securing a decade-long federal Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver extension. She also worked on strengthening Texas’ health care safety net by redesigning directed and supplemental payment programs.
Other key initiatives under Young included revising how Medicaid managed care contracts are awarded in Texas, advancing maternal health improvements across the state, guiding development of HHSC’s first artificial intelligence policy, as well as overseeing projects related to expanding or renovating eleven state psychiatric hospitals.
A decision regarding Young’s successor will be announced later.
