Linda Wertz

Linda Wertz brings to SPI an extensive background in governmental service and the health care industry. A resident of Austin, Linda assists SPI clients statewide with interests in public and private health care systems.

Linda recently retired from the public sector after more than 30 years of service to the State of Texas. At the time of her retirement, Linda was the Deputy Commissioner for Medicaid and CHIP for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Linda served as Texas State Medicaid Director from February 1, 1996 until her retirement on October 31, 2002. As the Texas Medicaid Director, she was responsible for a biennial budget of $13 billion serving approximately 2.4 million low-income families, elderly, and disabled individuals. She was also responsible for the State's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) serving approximately 525,000 Texas children with a biennial budget of $1.6 billion.

Linda served as the Chair and Vice-Chair for the National Association for State Medicaid Directors from 1997-2002 and was an Academy member for the National Academy for State Health Policy from 1999-2002. She also served on the Board of Directors for the National Quality Forum from 2000-2002 and Co-Chaired the National Review Team for the Center for Health Care Strategies, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, from 1999-2002. Linda was nominated for "Outstanding Women in Professional Development" in July 2002.

Linda was responsible for the implementation of the first Medicaid managed care pilots in Texas, served on special projects related to Medicaid procurements, served as contract manager for the health insurance contract, and implemented other Medicaid and CHIP program enhancements.

Linda graduated from The University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.