North Carolina lawmakers scrutinize DHHS operations

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Tags:

local/state

with the Associated Press

RALEIGH -- North Carolina state legislators spent a full day Tuesday scrutinizing the Department of Health and Human Services, especially a pair of computer systems that aren't working well for some doctors and food stamp applicants.

Two General Assembly committees held a joint meeting in Raleigh to examine the NCTracks and NC FAST networks -- they cost several hundred million dollars to build and operate.

Hundreds of medical providers are waiting to collect payments through NCTracks to treat Medicaid patients. NC FAST glitches have led to slow processing of food stamp requests.

Story: Legislative Black Caucus concerned about DHHS

A health committee is also heard from DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos on Medicaid spending and employee salaries and contracts. She's taken heat for signing personal service contracts that pay six-figure salaries.

Wos told lawmakers - despite the well-publicized problems - her department is operating more efficiently and effectively.

"We have done every creative thing we can to figure out to make sure every citizen in North Carolina gets the benefits they need, and on time and accurately," she offered.

But some lawmakers expressed frustration about the delays.

"We can't continue to make excuses about a complex system that will take time. Those are services that are needed. People can't take time to be fed," said Senator Earline Parmon (D) Winston-Salem.

Health and Human Services chief information officer Joe Cooper said he expected the remaining problems could take three to six months to resolve.