NJ Dept. of Human Services names new Medicaid director

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Dept. of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced July 9 that Jennifer Langer Jacobs will lead New Jersey Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Programs, which together are known as NJ FamilyCare and provide affordable health care coverage to 1.7 million New Jersey residents, according to a press release. 

Jacobs most recently served as senior vice president of long-term care at Sunshine Health, Florida’s largest Medicaid long-term care health plan. From 2010 to 2016, she was a member of the Medicaid leadership team at Amerigroup New Jersey, most recently as chief operating officer. Earlier in her career, Jacobs worked in the New Jersey Senate Majority Office on a range of legislative initiatives.

“I am thrilled that Jenn is coming home to New Jersey to join the Human Services team as Medicaid director,” Johnson said. “Jenn’s commitment to ensuring health equity in maternal and infant health, supporting older and disabled New Jerseyans who want to live as independently as possible in their communities, and turning the tide of the opioid epidemic by expanding access to treatment make her ideally suited to lead these vital programs.”

Jacobs replaces former Medicaid Director Meghan Davey, who recently left Human Services to pursue other opportunities.

“My passion is making government programs work better for the people they serve. I am delighted to have the chance to lead this essential program in New Jersey where I have spent so much of my career,” Jacobs said. “Medicaid provides comprehensive health care to individuals and communities, requires high quality partnerships across organizations, and represents a critical part of the state’s economy. I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead the Medicaid team at such an exciting time.”

  Health Care