David Parrella
Medicaid Director
State of Connecticut 

David Parrella is currently Medicaid Director at the Connecticut Department of Social Services. He has worked in various capacities in the Medicaid program for almost twenty years and is a past Chairman of the National Association of State Medicaid Directors. He currently is serving as the Vice-Chair of that organization. David has played a key role in the development and management of the HUSKY managed care program, State Administered General Assistance (SAGA), the Connecticut Aids Drug Assistance Program (CADAP), the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS), and the implementation of Medicare Part D.

Prior to entering state service Mr. Parrella was the Health Director for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.  Mr. Parrella is a 1972 graduate of Yale University and has completed graduate work in medical anthropology at the University of Oregon and the University of Connecticut.  Mr. Parrella's post-graduate work included four field seasons in Peru sponsored by the United Nations, the Wenner-Grenn Foundation for Scientific Research, and the Royal Ontario Museum.