Administrator, Washington State Health Care Authority

Steve Hill was appointed Administrator of the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) in April 2005. A cabinet level agency, the HCA administers health-care benefits to more than 450,000 Washington residents through the Basic Health program for low-income residents, and the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) program for state government workers and retirees. Combined, the two programs administer over $1.6 billion in benefits annually. The HCA also helps expand access to health care through programs that encourage the use of evidence-based practices, promote health information technology, and help consumers make informed health care decisions. Hill is a member of the Governor Christine Gregoire’s Health Policy team. The group is leading the State’s effort in effective uses of technology, consumer incentives, wellness promotion, and other avenues to improve access to affordable care. Hill retired from Weyerhaeuser Co. where, as senior vice president of human resources, he led benefits, prevention, and health-care cost containment. He helped form, and served as president, of the Health Care Purchasers of Puget Sound, a group representing employers who sponsor health-care insurance. He also has served on the state’s Hospital Rate Setting Commission. A former Regent for Washington State University, Hill received a Bachelor of Science degree in forest management from the University of California at Berkeley in 1969. In 1971, he received a master of business administration degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. He is a member of the first class of the American Leadership Forum Chapter for Tacoma-Pierce County, and on the board of directors for Consumers Union, the Washington Public Affairs Network (TVW), and the Puget Sound Health Alliance. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Human Resources in the Class of 2000. In 1978, he was appointed a White House Fellow and served as a staff assistant in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy. Hill lives in Tacoma, Washington with his wife Sandy. They have two adult daughters.