HHSC Survivalist

HHSC Response to OIG Report

2007-04-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONP. O. Box 13247Austin, Texas 787114900 North Lamar,Austin, Texas 78751 April 18, 2007We recognize that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) was given a challenging task tocomplete a review within about a month of an eight-year-old technology project and a procurement process that spanned more than a year. HHSC believes that proceeding with the OIG’s

Lawmaker says Health and Human Services commissioner should accept responsibility for call center problems.

2007-04-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Rep. Herrero: The buck stops with HawkinsBy Corrie MacLagganAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFFriday, April 20, 2007In a public hearing Thursday, Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, called on Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins to take responsibility for Texas' troubled system to enroll low-income people in social services."The buck must stop somewhere, and that, I think, stops with

Kimberly's Campaign

2007-03-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Kimberly Ross EatonDistrict Parole Officer IVParole Supervisor, Parole DivisionTexas Department of Criminal JusticeYears of ERS service credit as of 12/31/06 – 19 yearsStatement of Qualifications and Position on SystemIssuesI will fight to improve the lives of hard workingemployees and the quality of life for retirees.Affordable health care and secure retirement benefitsare my top

ERS ELECTION

2007-03-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR KIMBERLY ROSS EATON! You should have already received your ballots in the mail - they come with return postage paid envelopes. All you have to do is check your ballot, slip it in the envelope, seal it and put it in your mailboxes!

ACCENTURE - Epitome of Incompetence

2007-03-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Articles included here are reproduced under the Fair Use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial, nonprofit, and educational use. EJF Home Where To Find Help Join the EJF Comments? Get EJF newsletter Vote Fraud and Election Issues Book Table of Contents Site Map Index Chapter 6 — Pitfalls Of Statewide Voter Registration Databases Next — Thousands Of Ineligible Voters Are Still

SOME VERY INTERESTING LINKS

2007-03-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.texasmonthly.com/community/blog/paulburka/2007/03/hawkinshttp://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=180710http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/MAXIMUS+(MMS)+to+Provide+Program+Continuity+for+Texas+Health+and+Human+Services+Commission%3B+Remains+in+Arbitration+Proceedings+with+Accenture+(ACN)/1824440.htmlhttp://www.frac.org/html/news/newsdigest/03.19.07.html

On the Lege: A $156 Million Disaster

2007-03-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

It took more than a year of blunders before Health and Human Services Commission officials last week halted an ill-fated privatization experiment teeming with red flags from beginning to end.Why it took the agency so long to cancel a nearly $1 billion contract with consulting firm Accenture is but one of many curiosities surrounding a disastrous attempt to revamp a delicate function of human

2007-03-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/http://hhscemployee.blogspot.com/

HHSC, Texas Access Alliance Agree to End Contract Early

2007-03-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASEAlbert HawkinsExecutive CommissionerDate: March 13, 2007Contact: Stephanie Goodman, (512) 424-6951HHSC, Texas Access Alliance Agree to End Contract EarlyAUSTIN — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) today announced that it would begin winding down its contract with the Texas Access Alliance and transition day-to-day management of Children’s Health Insurance Program (

HHS Commissioner Fails To Disclose Information

2006-11-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

Nanci WilsonReporting(CBS 42) AUSTIN One of Governor Perry’s top appointees is being questioned about his ties to a non-profit organization that's received more than a million dollars in state contracts.Health and Human Services commissioner Albert Hawkins has been in the hot seat over problems with the billion dollar contract with Accenture for the welfare system and several other problems with

Politics

2006-11-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

Nov. 2, 2006, 4:16PMBell seeks probe of health and human services chiefBy LIZ AUSTIN PETERSONAssociated PressTOOLSAUSTIN — Democratic governor candidate Chris Bell asked the Texas Ethics Commission today to investigate whether the state's health and human services chief broke the law by sitting on the board of a nonprofit organization and failing to disclose it on his personal financial

2006-11-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

Opinion: New Benefit System Suits More TexansAlbert HawkinsSpecial to the San Antonio Express-News5/31/2006The San Antonio Express-News has published several news stories and columns about the state's plan to add new ways for Texans to apply for services such as Medicaid and food stamps.But all have failed to include an important point of view - that of the client.I understand the concerns of

2006-11-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

State Representative Garnet F. ColemanDear Friend,The Dallas Morning News had a story yesterday about some deceptive talk from Rick Perry and Republicans around the state about the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). As someone who cares deeply about children's issues and public health, the kind of misleading campaign-year rhetoric about CHIP is almost as frustrating as the consequences

Does It Make Sense to You?

2006-10-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

So temps are supposed to be "safe" for 2 more years, and regular status will most likely all have jobs in the "new system". They're saying some temps may end up keeping jobs. No roll-out for another year and when they do, it will be a different area....Round Rock area?Yeah, lets f*** with another part of Texas.Makes you wonder - if temps are not receiving evaluations, how do you choose which

IEE Roadshow

2006-09-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Subject: IEE Roadshow SchedulePlease review the IEE Roadshow Schedule - dates and times of themeetings have been confirmed. If you have not provided your locationinformation, I would appreciate you doing so quickly. DeputyExecutive Commissioner Heiligenstein would like to post the scheduleon the OES website as soon as possible.For those of you who have finalized information, thank you and

HHSC IEE Roadshow

2006-09-06T18:13:00.001-07:00

Anybody remember that last time Heilengenstein and crew made the rounds of the State trying to "pump" us up over what a grand thing TIERS and this privatization thing is? Well - here she goes again. (If you haven't already seen the email, let me know and I can post it).Now they're calling it an "IEE Roadshow". Roadshow? What fool came up with that name? The first thing I thought about was a

2006-08-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

One day in heaven, the Lord decided He would visit the earth and takea stroll. Walking down the road, He encountered a woman who was crying.The Lord asked the woman, "Why are you crying, my daughter"? Thewoman said she was blind and had never seen a sunset. The Lord touched the woman and she could see and she was happy.As the Lord walked further, He met another woman crying and asked,"Why are you

Perry and foes have different views on health care

2006-08-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Perry's record under scrutiny in election year2006 ELECTIONS: HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICESBy Corrie MacLagganAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFSaturday, August 26, 2006Here's Gov. Rick Perry's perspective: Texas children are safer today than a year ago, thanks to Child Protective Services reforms; more children are covered by public health insurance than in 1999; and the state is giving low-income Texans

Looking for a guest blogger....

2006-08-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

As you may already know from the time between my postings, I do not have time anymore! I am looking for a guest blogger to post to this site. If interested, please contact me via hhscsurvivalist@yahoo.com. Looking for serious activists! I need help!

Celia Hagert: Want welfare? Don't count on Texas' new, inadequately staffed system for help

2006-08-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

08:17 AM CDT on Thursday, August 3, 2006Most of us have never had to think about how families in need sign up for public help such as health care and food stamps. Right now, however, an important debate is brewing in the Texas Capitol over the question: How should we sign up people for help?Since the state's new system for determining eligibility was launched six months ago, more than 100,000

States Stumble Privatizing Social Services

2006-08-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 05, 2006By Christine Vestal -It sounds like a good idea: Replace state employees with a high-tech contractor to more efficiently screen thousands of applications for state support, and save taxpayers millions.- That's what Texas and Indiana policy-makers thought. But early results of a privately run social services project in Texas and troubles with the bidding process in Indiana

Good, tenured, caseworkers are now in tears!

2006-08-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Our workers, with years of experience and great stats, are now in tears over their jobs! They can no longer function with the stress at the offices caused by this TIERS boondoggle!This month, supervisors were given the directive to 'do something about the leadtime' which was running at 28 days in some of the offices, more than 30 in others. Lead time is the time between when the application is

Worker tells of training problems with state contractor

2006-08-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

Accenture group failed to give her knowledge she needed, she claimsBy Corrie MacLagganAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFFriday, August 11, 2006When Amanda Morris started working at a private office that enrolls Texans in public assistance, she was trained to enter information into a computer about people who want to apply for benefits.But she immediately found that most cases didn't involve signups.

Wait Taken Out of Welfare, But Critics Just Aren't Happy

2006-08-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

Note from Blogger: I have read articles by this twit in the past. She went into the office with her opinion already formed and failed to ask the right questions.....Like, maybe, why they had to wait so long? Maybe because we no longer have the staff available to do the job?Visit to welfare field office demonstrates why change is desperately neededBy Mary Katherine StoutPublished: 07-31-06Six

Letter to Austin American Statesman & reply

2006-08-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

DEAR SIRS:I AM A DISABLED TEXAN, UNDER THE AGE OF 65, YET STILL RECEIVE BENEFITS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS IN THE QMB AND FOOD STAMP PROGRAM. BECAUSE I AM DISABLED, IT IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO TAKE THE REQUIRED TIME TO UTILIZE THE NEW AND "IMPROVED" PROGRAM. I HAVE HAD MAJOR NECK AND BACK SURGERY THIS YEAR ALONE, WITH SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING COMPLICATIONS WITH THE BACK SURGERY I AM STILL TRYING TO

2006-08-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNIONJuly 18, 2006 CONTACT WILL ROGERS@ 512/448-4225 OR wrogers@cwa-tseu.orgAmple reasons to fire AccentureAustin-The Texas State Employees Union today said that failure by Accenture to carry out terms of its call center contract with the state Health and Human Service Commission provides ample

Lawmakers hear update on Accenture contract Problems persist despite

2006-07-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

By Corrie MacLaggan mailto:cmaclaggan@statesman.comAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFThursday, July 27, 2006 Despite some improvements in the state's system to enroll Texans in public assistance, many are still improperly being denied benefits, a House panel heard Wednesday from organizations that work closely with some of the 3 million Texans who receive food stamps, welfare and Medicaid.The Texas Health

Job Postings! (Does it look like we're going backwards, folks?)

2006-07-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

These are positions coming available in my Region. Wouldn't be hard to figure which one that is but this is public knowledge anyway. You know - if they had bothered to listen to the people who actually did the work and dealt with the recipients, and hadn't played their games, we might not be in such a predicament now!ART Staff1 Lead Worker (B6).4 Senior Disposition Workers (B5).1 Unit Secretary (

Why did the chicken cross the road?

2006-07-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

DR. PHILThe problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on "THIS" side of the road before it goes after the problem on the "OTHER SIDE" of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his "CURRENT" problems before adding "NEW" problems.OPRAHWell, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which

I love my job I love my job I love my job....

2006-07-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

Nope, still not working.I used to love my job I used to love my job I used to love my job..................Today, I wanted to walk out! I have hundreds of changes due by this cutoff, which is Wednesday as you all know. I have lost my supervisor and now I have to do my job as well as hers. I can't even answer my phone anymore because if I did, I'd never get anything done (which I'm not anyway

2006-07-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

NOTE FROM BLOGGER: This is not HHSC related but I found it absurd and ridiculous! We have got to change the administration in Texas!!!!!NEWSclips Date: July 17, 2006Death row for doctors? Absurd - but possible By Editorial Board Austin American-Statesman Imagine a Texas doctor facing the possibility of the death penalty for performing an abortion on a willing minor or even a grown woman.

Bell joins welfare screener critics The Democratic governor hopeful urges HHS to drop privatization deal, keep jobs in Texas

2006-07-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

Houston ChronicleClay Robison7/14/2006AUSTIN - Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell said Friday the state should cancel an $899 million human services privatization contract that also has come under fire from Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and many legislators."It's every bit as nightmarish as the reports indicate," Bell said of the contract awarded to Accenture LLP for screening

State welfare screener draws more fire 60 in the House urge head of HHS to cancel contract

2006-07-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

July 13, 2006, 2:17PMBy CLAY ROBISONCopyright 2006Houston Chronicle Austin BureauAUSTIN - Sixty members of the Texas House, Republicans and Democrats, Wednesday called for the state to cancel a controversial, $899 million privatization contract to screen applicants for public assistance programs.Their letter to Health and Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins, however, followed on the heels

Been too busy to post!

2006-07-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

I have been way too busy to post lately - Sorry about that! I've worked tons of OT this week and can barely drag myself home after work. I am so grateful for my "friend" who has picked up my child from daycare EVERY DAY THIS WEEK because I could not get out of the office in time. Last weekend, I actually brought some work home with me. I absolutely refused to do so this weekend!My child now

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS

2006-07-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

July 13, 2006Human Services call center plan/ Accenture contract60 LEGISLATORS SIGN LETTER: CANCEL THE CONTRACT, REBUILD HHSC* 30 others sign letter supporting Accenture contract* all signers listed in this broadcast* see TSEU's website (http://www.cwa-tseu.org/ at High Tech Boondoggle) for copies of the letters* See also Press Releases and Press Clippings on TSEU's web site for moreOn July 12

Bipartisan group of 60 state representatives calls on state to fire Texas Access Alliance

2006-07-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

30 Republican representatives say to stick with the public assistance outsourcing project, despite problems.By Corrie MacLaggan AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFThursday, July 13, 2006A bipartisan group of 60 state representatives asked Texas officials Wednesday to cancel a controversial five-year contract with a private consortium to enroll Texans in food stamps, Medicaid

More on the OES jobs....

2006-07-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

OES Employees:At times a current regular status OES employee may desire to apply fora legacy (old world) temporary position. The temporary position mayhave a higher salary, be in a more appealing work location, allow forlearning new skills, or in general just be more attractive to theindividual. We want these employees to retain regular status so theycan continue to receive all current benefits

Accenture claims Texas HHSC is a success story!

2006-07-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

SummaryClient: Texas Health & Human Services CommissionIndustry: Government SubjectSubject: Infrastructure Outsourcing; Infrastructure SolutionsOn the Web: http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Accenture partners with the Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership to reach higher levels of customer care in billing and information system management. Next: BackgroundBackgroundThe Health and Human Services

Update on 1043 Additional Jobs in the New Eligibility System

2006-07-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

The 1,043 additional positions for the new system will be allocated across that state with the majority of the positions being workers and clerks assigned toHHSC Benefits OfficesAssistance Response Team (ART);Customer Care Centers (CCC);A "virtual" center which will consolidate Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD) program staff; andNew positions for program managers and

2006-07-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you have less than 50% staffing and recently got a ton of work thrown back at you when the contractor hired to do the job fails?What do you do when the people who cause these problems still expect you to be able to meet all of the customer's needs and the State and Federal requirements, when you are already doing the work of 3 to 4 persons? Or more?Policy requires that we see

Dozens lose jobs at Texas Access Alliance in San Antonio

2006-06-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Group of private companies has state contract for controversial new system to help Texans sign up for public assistanceBy Corrie MacLagganAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFWednesday, June 28, 2006Several dozen San Antonio employees of a private contractor hired by the state to help Texans apply for public assistance lost their jobs Friday, according to an internal memo obtained by the Austin

Accenture opening 350-person office here

2006-06-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Web Posted: 06/28/2006 12:00 AM CDTWilliam PackExpress-News Business Writer A global management consulting and business services company that has made headlines over its contract to privatize Texas welfare reviews is moving into San Antonio with a service center that will employ about 350 people. Accenture, whose U.S. operations are based in Chicago, announced the expansion Tuesday, saying it

Poem From A State Employee

2006-06-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last night while I lay sleeping,I died, or so it seems.Then I went up to HeavenBut ‘t was only in my dreams.But, it seems St. Peter met me, There at the Pearly Gate.He said, “I must check your recordSo stand right here and wait.He returned and said, “Your recordIs clouded up with flaws.”But on earth I see you labored, For a very worth causeYou fought snow and ice in the winterAnd sweated in the

MY RESPONSE TO DABJAB....

2006-06-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

All workers across the State are being impacted by this call center plan because1. We no longer have sufficient staff.2. TAA cannot do it's job.3. TIERS is not working!4. HHSC's statement is "Once in TIERS, always in TIERS"....which means that if a client moves from a pilot area to another part of the state, they have to be worked in the TIERS system. (And for that matter, what good is a

HHSC Spins

2006-06-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

You know, Hawkins and the gang at HHSC in Austin will never admit their system will not work. I just wonder how many years the taxpayers of Texas are going to allow that group to keep funneling money into a flawed system! They will always turn their "spin" on any statement made against this call center plan.And how dare they say we are speaking out because the Union lost members? Thanks to

Transition is tough on state aid workers: Move to privatization is driving many away, so they're paid to stay

2006-06-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

[June 24, 2006] (Dallas Morning News, The (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jun. 24--AUSTIN -- Scores of state workers who help people sign up for public assistance are quitting every month, but not Alec Davis.As the state turns to private companies to process applications, he stays to help tackle a mountain of daily tasks. The problems with the transition are so extensive that the state

PLEASE READ!

2006-06-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

Samm is absolutely right! You all know who your "activists" are in the office and if you don't know who your Union Organizer is, just contact TSEU or ask your local activiust.http://www.cwa-tseu.org/Accenture has alot of money to offer our politicians....(Yes, and it's a total shame that our political system is the way it is) but we have VOTES! And in order to have our voices heard, we need to

Been too busy

2006-06-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

to post anything, but I'm making time for this. I found out today that my Program Manager is being paid PM salary to scan cases in Austin! My understanding is that was supposed to have been done by a private contractor. Makes me wonder if the HHSC is in such a bind that they had to cancel that contract? Hmmmm.....Makes me wonder alot of other things too!

Another Letter from the front-line

2006-06-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

Received from another front-line worker:Here is the first part of the letters that I was telling you about from the Midland call center.This is a long ordeal so I will try and make it as short as possible. The situation was that XXXXXXX wanted to apply for TP40. I believe she received her application online and submitted it by fax or took it to her local office and they faxed it for her (those

Who to vote for?

2006-06-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

I know TSEU has endorsed Strayhorn, but she makes me nervous. They didn't want to break up the Republican Party so she went Independent. I wonder if she'll revert once elected? She must lean in their direction but how far right?Bell's recent donation is going to do wonders! How about some comments? Are we going with TSEU? Or are we going Democrat?Help me decide, folks.

FSSA outsourcing plan to get more review

2006-06-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

MIKE SMITHAssociated PressINDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels has given a review team more time to consider plans by the state's social services agency to outsource the application process for food stamps and other welfare benefits, his office announced Friday.The Family and Social Services Administration has been considering plans to award a contract to a private vendor to handle the application

Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee visits Beaumont

2006-06-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

By JENNIFER AVILLA, The Enterprise06/16/2006If elected, Bell plans to try to undo the $899 million five-year contract signed last year between Accenture and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in a privatization effort to outsource state eligibility and enrollment to Medicaid and other health programs.____________________________________________________Brad McClellan, Strayhorn's

Recent stories from the Texas Legislature 2006 Special Session

2006-06-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

5/21/06: Tax reform finished, but schools worry5/20/06: Seniors, disabled feel cheated by property tax cut5/19/06: Perry signs business tax bill in S.A.5/19/06: Legislators get advice on school reforms5/14/06: Mothers help set the legislative rules5/13/06: Legislature approves school funding reform05/10/06: State takes back aid task 05/10/06: Dewhurst to revive disputed tax cut bill 5/06/06:

How about that timeliness training?

2006-06-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

Have you taken that PALMS CBT yet? I did - and I let them have it! You'll get your chance at the end of the training. What a waste of time! We know the timeframes - we just don't have the time and enough people to do the job. Just another insult! We had a few more delinquencies this week (and we are not a pilot office) - some because we could not schedule them timely. I know they are required by

How bad is it getting at HHSC?

2006-06-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 06, 2006According to my sources who are still on the inside, it continues to get worse every day. Timeliness is swirling down the toilet, and the corrective action plan is not to change course from an unworkable plan that is doomed to end in disaster, but to make staff take time away from their work to be retrained on Food Stamp timeliness policies... as if the problem was that

2006-06-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

WOW! It's amazing how many sites you can find about Accenture's ties to the Republicans currently running Texas. Go to your search engine, type in "Accenture Republicans Texas". Below are just a minor sampling.....http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040714/NEWS/407140620/1060http://www.cleanuptexaspolitics.com/node/view/479http://www.soapblox.net/colorado/showDiary.do?

Opinion: Plan Puts Cuts Above Children's Programs

2006-06-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

State Sen. Eliot ShapleighSpecial to the San Angelo Standard Times6/8/2006The tax proposals passed this special session continue the 10-year pattern in both Washington, D.C., and Austin of the ''Great Texas Tax Shift,'' in which the wealthiest Texans' taxes are shifted onto the backs of middle- and low-income families, and budgets for key programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program,

Misdirected Applications Found

2006-06-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

Amy SmithAustin Chronicle6/8/2006Hardly a week goes by without Accenture drawing fire for one snafu after another as the lead player in the state's privatization experiment with public assistance services. The Houston Chronicle added a barrel of fuel to the controversy with last week's report that at least 144 applications from needy Texans mistakenly ended up at a warehouse in Seattle.The reason

Privatization doesn’t sound so bad.

2006-06-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, you can comment on this story in Indiana. Please write them and tell them the real story about privatization here in Texas. It isn't just that we were trying to do a computer system at the same time. There is more to it than that -- like state employees know what they are doing and the private contracts can't seem to get it together!By Laurie Berkshire" One thing about privatization,

Black hole

2006-06-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Fate of 144 missing social service enrollment forms should mark a turning point for the stateBy Editorial BoardHouston ChronicleNot even the fiercest critics of Texas' social service privatization scheme envisioned it. For the past three months, according to Chronicle reporter Polly Ross Hughes, dozens of private health and financial forms faxed to the Health and Human Services Commission belched

Got this from another worker....

2006-06-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would share this.....I had to call 2-1-1, which is not even able to be dialed from here.....I had to call the long distance number. I am checking on a TP40 case for my sister in law who lives in Houston. She applied for TP40 on May 1 and has yet to hear a decision from them. She can't get her local office to help, she can't call 2-1-1 and has to call the 713 long distance

Good analogy....

2006-06-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

A Japanese auto company and an American auto company decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to

Wrong fax number lands Texans' private information in Seattle

2006-06-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUSTIN, Texas -- Scores of confidential documents containing medical and financial information about people applying for state benefits wound up in a Seattle warehouse after clients used an incorrect fax number to send the paperwork, a newspaper reported Friday.While it isn't clear why people used the wrong number, it took the Texas Health and Human Services Commission more

Needy Texans' applications faxed into a 'black hole'

2006-06-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Date: June 02, 2006Misprinted form leads many to send info meant for the state to a puzzled company in SeattleBy Polly Ross HughesHouston Chronicle AUSTIN -Three months ago, dozens of documents from Texas containing highly confidential financial and health information began arriving over a fax machine at a Seattle warehouse.Shaun Peck, a clerk at the warehouse, searched through the mysterious

State privatization effort questioned

2006-06-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

By Tim Evanstim.evans@indystar.comA massive effort to privatize claims processing for a million needy Hoosiers is drawing fire from critics who say the process is moving too fast and the two contenders have spotty track records.About the companiesTwo consortiums are seeking the $1 billion contract to manage applications and eligibility review for state and federal assistance programs operated by

2006-05-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

From HHSC Employees' blog, it appears that a "war" has started between HHSC front line workers and Accenture staff.We at HHSC do not have a problem with the employees hired at the call centers!We do have a problem with the call centers!We do have a problem with TIERS (which is just another version of TIES...remember, folks?)We do have a problem with "upper admin" at both HHSC and Accenture!We do

Privatized services stumbling

2006-05-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Defenders say savings, efficiency in social aid programs will take time01:04 AM CDT on Sunday, May 28, 2006By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning NewsAUSTIN – Texas' health and welfare agencies are undertaking the most sweeping and rapid privatization of social services in the country, but the experiments are plagued with problems.Tens of thousands of aid recipients can't get through to

Outsourcing Common Sense

2006-05-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

May 24, 2006Last week, Bush visited Yuma, Ariz., to tour a portion of the U.S.-Mexico border by Border Patrol buggy. Maybe Jorge was doing a little measuring for the $3.2 million-a-mile fence the Senate recently approved, which I guarantee will be really helpful.Are they insane? As Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano observes, "Show me a 50-foot wall, and I'll show you a 51-foot ladder."Of course, I am

Off the Kuff

2006-05-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

We are mentioned today on Off the Kuff....

This was on the web...

2006-05-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

This gave instructions to TWC regarding handling of HHSC cases.....it even gives instructions to call 211.WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIVISIONWorkforce Service DeliveryTechnical Assistance Bulletin #110Program: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Choices and Food Stamp Employment and TrainingTopic: Updates to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s New Eligibility System and Texas

FULL TEXT OF THE EMAIL SENT THROUGH HHSC - Addressed on hhscemployee's blog

2006-05-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

bloggers' comments in red...-----Original Message-----From: Cox,Kathy [mailto:Kathy.Cox@hhsc.state.tx.us]Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 10:32 AMTo: Allen Bledsoe; Amy Cuellar; Ana Bonilla; Bob Arbuckle; Carolyn Maxie; Dolores Bravo; Grace Moser; Jerry Flores; Jerry Wallace; Jim Cleveland; Joe Alvarez; Kathy Cox; Mari Forcade; Mary Adame; Mary Doan; Oscar Gutierrez; Patricia Brown; Ramon Gamboa;

State may make contractor repay extra costs in system rollout

2006-05-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

AUSTIN -- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission may force the contractor in charge of operating two major benefit programs to repay the state for unexpected costs it has faced in the rocky rollout of its new online eligibility system.The Texas Access Alliance also could be penalized for failing to meet performance goals outlined in its contract, commission officials said Thursday.Anne

MUST READ comments from hhscemployee

2006-05-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

This POST is a MUST READ. hhscemployee responds to comments made my Annie Landmann, Chief Clerk of House Committee on Human Services, [(R)Suzanna Gratia-Hupp.]

Congressmen attack privatization plan

2006-05-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Web Posted: 05/25/2006 12:00 AM CDTGuillermo X. GarciaExpress-News Staff WriterDeclaring it a failed experiment that is harming the neediest in the state, a group of Texas congressmen including Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, a San Antonio Democrat, urged state leaders Wednesday to immediately cease a plan to privatize the screening of welfare applications.But Republican leaders, who control the

LETTER FROM USDA TO HAWKINS

2006-05-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

USDAAlbert Hawkins, Executive CommissionTexas Health and Human Services CommissionOffice 7100, MCBH-1000P.O. Box 13247Austin, TX 78711Dear Mr. Hawkins,This letter is in response to your March 31, 2006 letter requesting retroactive funding approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for costs incurred by the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS)/Intergrated Eligibility and

Critics renew demand for call centers to be scrapped

2006-05-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

State claims progress in fixing problems.AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFTuesday, May 23, 2006While the state works to fix problems associated with a call-in system that allows Texans to apply for public assistance, critics continue to ask that the system be scrapped.The Texas Access Alliance, which is anchored by consulting giant Accenture LLP, has been running the automated system for Travis and Hays

A storm of controversy over privatizing state services

2006-05-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

OpinionBen SargentEDITORIALA storm of controversy over privatizing state servicesMonday, May 22, 2006In theory, there's nothing wrong with the state hiring an outside contractor to handle applications and enrollment systems for several major state social service programs, including Medicaid and food stamps — if the contractor can operate effectively and save taxpayers' money. Such a change also

2006-05-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNIONMay 22, 2006 CONTACT WILL ROGERS@ 512/448-4225 OR wrogers@cwa-tseu.orgStop throwing good money after bad; fire Accenture,rebuild health and human services at the local levelAustin- The Texas State Employees Union today called on the state Health and Human Services Commission to fire Accenture and to take immediate action rebuild the state's

2006-05-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Congressman Joe Baca of California, and Congressmen Lloyd Doggett and Al Green of Texas offered an amendment on the floor of the House to Agriculture Appropriations bill. Their amendment essentially would ban Ag Approps from reimbursing a state agency if that agency has moved to increase the percentage of mail, telephone, and on-line applications to more than 20% of total

BEEN OUT OF POCKET

2006-05-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been behind on the blog. I have taken a vacation -well deserved and very important. Apparently, things got a little mixed up while I was gone so please excuse the "construction in progress".

The Walls Have Ears

2006-05-21T22:52:00.000-07:00

From a coworker with contacts in Houston Former TDHS Commissioner (current Under Secretary of FNS) Eric Bost & HHSC Commissioner Albert Hawkins attended the same luncheon this week in Houston. (Don't know if it was professional or social.)Eric took Al aside privately - but within earshot of a "fly on the wall" - & talked to him about retirement!We can only imagine the conversation went something

Links to other articles, old and new

2006-05-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Check out these articles found on the web, also!New and old articles.....you might learn something you didn't already know.http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Privitization/Texas_Inc.html Texas, Inc.Taking privatization to extremes, a new law ends the public sector as we knew itby Kim Phillips-FeinThe Nation magazine, January 5, 2004http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/

ACCENTURE: A Short History

2006-05-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission recently signed a contract with Accenture, a Bermuda-based company, to operate eligibility call centers. HHSC hopes Accenture’s call centers will replace local health and human services offices, where people needing food stamps, Medicaid, and other services now go to get help.Here’s a short history of Accenture, which touts itself as a high

2006-05-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

A Reliable Source - HHSC Deep ThroatFNS is denying retroactive funding for the Call Center initiative in the amount of $24 million because HHSC did NOT get permission from the feds before it proceeded with this experiment. It's standard practice to request permission if you expect the feds to pay part of the bill. It's the utmost of arrogance (& incompetence) to start spending the money without

Opinion: Social Services Privatization Merits Scrutiny by Strayhorn

2006-05-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

Staff EditorialHouston Chronicle5/14/2006With its $899 million plan to outsource the screening and certification of welfare and child insurance applicants off to a troubled start, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission needs all the help it can get sorting out the problem.State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, an independent candidate for governor, has missed few opportunities to bash

Opinion: Texas's Privatization Disaster

2006-05-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

John YoungWaco Tribune-Herald5/14/2006AUSTIN - It's one of Texas' biggest stories in years. Too bad few Texans know about it.It's the great Texas Push-Button Bureaucracy-Eliminating Paper-Pusher Massacre (TPBBEPPM). I made that name up but not the debacle that state policymakers now face. It's a mess they're hoping will slide right past your nose.It came with an understated announcement last week

ACCESS HR

2006-05-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Anyone know why Access HR was evacuated today? Based on the time they were out, the fire dept being called and the fact that they were let back in shortly after....I'd say it was a bomb threat.

2006-05-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder why the Austin American Statesman doesn't cover the Accenture mess? Well, guess where Stephanie Goodman once worked?A reliable source reports that she was a big management suck-up (Big surprise as we know she did that at DHS - before the Wohlgemuth / Phillips / HB2292 / redistricting / Accenture / HHSC reign - and obviously during...) and that "her s*** didn't stink." This also

2006-05-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

T E X A S S T A T E E M P L O Y E E S U N I O N MAY 15, 2006NEWS BulletinCall centers on hold as air goes out of IEES bubbleMAY 4: HHSC announces the cancellation of layoffs plus retention pay, more positions HHSC responded to calls from TSEU & many legislators with an announcement that: The disastrous roll-out of the call center plan in Travis and Hays counties magnified the already

From A Reliable Source:

2006-05-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

The word from a reliable source is that FNS Dallas is now investigating the overpayments in TIERS that have been occuring for more than 1 year. Again, from reliable sources, no fix has been implemented so the overpayments continue & OIG is not attempting to recover these overpayments because of the difficulty is determining what occurred on a case action in TIERS. FNS will consider these agency

2006-05-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

Another Friday over with - a 10 hour day now. I can't believe how much work there is now! If I hadn't had such a headache and wasn't so tired, I'd probably still be there.We're losing a few more of our "temps"......and a couple more regular staff. They're going to CPS. They're actually happy about it. Once upon a time, CPS was viewed as the last resort. After all, they bear the weight of

Another President Bush? First 2 Are for It

2006-05-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060511/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_bush_bushOH NO! NOT AGAIN!

Legislators want welfare agency to explain woes

2006-05-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

Web Posted: 05/11/2006 12:00 AM CDTGuillermo X. GarciaExpress-News Staff WriterLawmakers pressed the state's welfare agency Wednesday to answer questions they have raised over a troubled state plan to privatize parts of the agency's eligibility system for assistance programs.Legislators said they are angry and concerned with ongoing problems in the state's effort to streamline the processing and

2006-05-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS May 11, 2006 Strayhorn announces audit of Accenture contract Texas Controller of Public Accounts Carole Keeton Strayhorn announced on May 11 that heroffice will investigate the $899 million contract to operate human services eligibility call centersand provide other services. The state contract

State's Privatization Fiasco

2006-05-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Editor,To its credit, the Chronicle has been extensively writing about the privatization fiasco at HHSC, perhaps the only publication educating the public about the tax dollars wasted in this endeavor. I wish to extend this goal by informing the public about a similar boondoggle concerning HB 1516, enabling the Texas Department of Information Resources to privatize numerous state services.

Guerra, Garcia and now Strayhorn

2006-05-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

First, they try to discredit the reporters. Now they are trying to keep State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn from doing her job.I don't know about you, but I am tired of the conspiracies and dirty contracts! Let the auditors do their work. I can only guess that the reason they don't want the contract investigated is that the dirty dealings behind them will come to light.

Senator Asks Strayhorn to Audit State Contractor

2006-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

Liz AustinAssociated Press5/11/2006AUSTIN - At the request of three lawmakers, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn plans to investigate the contractor in charge of processing applications for Texas' low-cost insurance program for children and running the state's new benefits eligibility system.The contractor, Texas Access Alliance, is a group of companies led by Accenture, a Bermuda-based

Comptroller's Statement on Legislative Request to Investigate Accenture Contract

2006-05-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

Office of State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn5/10/2006AUSTIN -- "The Accenture contract appears to be the perfect storm of wasted tax dollars, reduced access to services for our most vulnerable Texans, and profiteering at the expense of our Texas taxpayers. The governor implemented this plan in haste. He fired state employees before he knew if the company could handle their jobs, and now