OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The agency that administers Oklahoma's Medicaid program has said goodbye to its long-time director as it explores new ways to deliver health care services to the state's uninsured.

Mike Fogarty is retiring as CEO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority effective March 1. The 64-year-old Fogarty has worked at the agency since 1995 and has been CEO since 1999. The agency's board of directors has chosen former deputy chief executive officer Nico Gomez to replace him.

The agency's board of directors praised Fogarty Thursday at his last board meeting as CEO.

Fogarty leaves as the agency seeks ways to serve uninsured Oklahomans following Gov. Mary Fallin's rejection of expanding the Medicaid program to serve an additional 200,000 people.