Commission Employees to Again Compile Benefit Application Files

Associated Press

5/10/2006

AUSTIN - State workers are taking back the job of compiling files for those applying for state benefits in Travis and Hays counties.

The programs include Medicaid, food stamps and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.

The task had been outsourced to a contractor as part of the rollout of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's new eligibility system.

The system debuted in the Austin area in January and was supposed to be implemented in 20 more Hill Country counties in late April. All 254 Texas counties are supposed to be using the new system by the end of the year.

But technical and operational problems have forced the agency to twice put off expanding the program.

Officials say state workers are taking back the work because the contractor couldn't process cases quickly enough. The contractor will resume the job after improving its technology.

Note from Blogger: They've been working on the technology for years now. How many more years are we going to give them? Accenture has had too many contracts cancelled by other States, countries and even the US Marines! Why did we even hire them?