Breaking News: Dan Brillman Under Consideration
Speculation has been swirling about who might take the top Medicaid job in the Trump administration, and emerging reports suggest a health tech executive could be the answer. Dan Brillman, co-founder and CEO of health tech company Unite Us, is being vetted and could be named director of the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) in the coming weeks, multiple sources close to the matter confirmed to Fierce Healthcare.
This potential appointment represents a significant shift in Medicaid leadership philosophy, moving from traditional policy backgrounds toward technology-focused expertise. Brillman’s unique combination of business acumen and military service sets him apart from conventional candidates for this critical healthcare position.
Military Background and Service
Brillman has also served in the Air Force Reserves as a combat pilot for nearly two decades, earning several combat air medals for various deployments. This dual expertise in healthcare technology and military service provides him with a distinctive perspective on large-scale organizational management and strategic implementation.
Unite Us and Brillman did not respond to requests for comment at press time, maintaining silence as the vetting process continues.
Who is Dan Brillman?
Dan Brillman’s journey into healthcare technology began during his MBA studies at Columbia University. Veterans he had served with called him about their health and social service issues, seeking help navigating complex systems. In his telling, Brillman began calling housing services, only to discover how challenging it was to coordinate care across different organizations.
The Genesis of Unite Us
This experience led Brillman to write a research paper about care coordination challenges, and through his school connections, he met his future co-founder. This academic exercise would eventually evolve into Unite Us, a company now operating across 44 states.
The personal connection to healthcare challenges faced by veterans demonstrates Brillman’s commitment to solving real-world problems through technology, a philosophy that could significantly influence his approach to Medicaid administration.
Unite Us: Revolutionizing Healthcare Coordination
Unite Us is a cutting-edge technology company that facilitates referrals of patients to social services. The platform works with nonprofits, providers, and payers across 44 states, creating a comprehensive network for healthcare coordination.
Funding and Growth
The company has demonstrated significant market confidence, having raised at least $195 million in funding to date. This substantial investment reflects the healthcare industry’s recognition of the critical need for better care coordination systems.
Current Initiatives
Unite Us is currently promoting its platform for states to secure funding from the $50 billion rural health fund allocated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This initiative showcases the company’s ability to align with federal healthcare priorities and demonstrates practical experience with government funding mechanisms.
Medicaid Program Transformation Under Trump
The expected appointment comes as the agency prepares to implement major revisions to the Medicaid program passed in President Donald Trump’s comprehensive healthcare legislation on July 4. These changes represent some of the most significant modifications to Medicaid since the program’s inception.
Key Program Changes
The legislation introduces several transformative elements:
- New work requirements for Medicaid eligibility
- More frequent redeterminations of beneficiary status
- $911 billion reduction in program spending over 10 years
These changes will require sophisticated technological infrastructure and innovative management approaches—areas where Brillman’s background could prove invaluable.
Technology Integration Opportunities
The health tech industry is seizing the opportunity to bring AI into state Medicaid agencies to check for eligibility and adjudicate coverage. The Coalition for Health AI launched a tiger team earlier this week to help AI companies implement these technologies responsibly, creating a perfect intersection with Brillman’s expertise.
The Rise of Health Tech in Government
Brillman’s business background represents a departure from traditional appointments for positions historically held by people with extensive policy experience. Previous Medicaid directors typically came from government or academic backgrounds rather than private sector technology companies.
Comparison with Previous Leadership
President Joe Biden’s Medicaid director previously ran the Massachusetts Medicaid program during both the Obama and Trump administrations. The current Acting Medicaid Director, Caprice Knapp, has held positions at the Congressional Budget Office, North Dakota’s Medicaid program, and as a fellow for a House healthcare committee.
Precedent in Trump Administration
This is not the first time the Trump administration has tapped a health tech executive to lead in government. In April, Chris Klomp, former CEO of health IT company Collective Medical, was appointed head of Medicare. He is expected to modernize the agency through technology and data implementation, according to STAT reporting.
Though Klomp never held a government role previously, colleagues noted his extensive work with public healthcare programs throughout his business ventures, suggesting a pattern of technology-focused appointments.
Industry Impact and Future Implications
The potential appointment of Brillman signals a fundamental shift in healthcare administration philosophy. Technology companies are increasingly being viewed as essential partners in government healthcare delivery, rather than simply vendors or contractors.
Market Response and Expectations
Healthcare technology stocks and companies focusing on government contracts may see increased interest as the administration signals its commitment to modernizing healthcare delivery through technology. Brillman’s appointment could accelerate adoption of innovative solutions across state Medicaid programs.
State-Level Implementation
With Unite Us operating across 44 states, Brillman brings practical experience with state-level healthcare coordination, understanding the unique challenges each state faces in implementing federal programs while maintaining local flexibility.
Challenges Ahead for New Leadership
The incoming Medicaid director will face significant organizational and operational challenges that require both technical expertise and strong leadership skills.
Staffing and Resource Constraints
CMS has lost at least 300 staff members this year due to federal workforce cuts led by the Department of Government Efficiency and Kennedy’s reorganization of HHS. The agency has been consolidated from 28 agencies to 15, which could complicate the new Medicaid director’s implementation efforts.
Current Acting Director Role
Caprice Knapp has served as acting director of CMCS since June, when director Drew Snyder departed the agency for personal reasons, according to Politico reporting. Knapp is also employed by HHS as Medicaid Counselor to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and it remains unclear whether she will continue in this role after a permanent director is appointed.
Strategic Implementation Requirements
The new director must navigate complex federal-state relationships while implementing sweeping program changes. Brillman’s experience building technology platforms that work across multiple state jurisdictions could provide valuable insight into these coordination challenges.
Conclusion
Dan Brillman’s potential appointment as CMCS director represents a bold shift toward technology-driven healthcare administration. His unique combination of entrepreneurial success, military service, and healthcare technology expertise positions him to lead Medicaid through its most significant transformation in decades.
The success of this appointment will largely depend on Brillman’s ability to translate private sector innovation into effective government program management while navigating the complex political and regulatory landscape of federal healthcare administration.
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