Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Helene Nelson will not stay on for Governor Jim Doyle's second term in office. Secretary Nelson says she'll step down from her position January 3rd, in order to spend more time with her family. Nelson says she's at a point in her life where family needs to be the larger focus of her time.
Nelson says there are many accomplishments she's proud of from her time in the Department. Those include advancements in SeniorCare and BadgerCare made during her time in the position.
The Governor has asked the Secretary to stay on in a part-time advisory role. Nelson says that work will be to prepare the next Secretary for the challenges ahead. She foresees the biggest problem in the future will be to tackle growing health costs.
Governor Doyle has not yet named a possible replacement.