By Sarah C. Threnhauser

I think that the executives managing Medicaid programs have one of the toughest jobs in the field. All the regulations, the state and federal political factors, the budget pressures, and the changing factors affecting health care costs and utilization make "success" a moving target. [caption id="attachment_846927" align="alignright" width="150"] Lynda Zeller[/caption] Medicaid is of growing importance to the U.S. health care system—with 19% of the population covered under Medicaid. So, when Medicaid executives make big changes in their program, the impact is substantial—on consumers, families, advocates, professionals, provider organization executives, and health plan managers. So how do Medicaid directors think about…