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Heineman signs, defends HHS bill

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By NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - 12:11:16 pm CDT

Gov. Dave Heineman defended the giant Health and Human Services System against the broad criticism it faced from state senators this week as he signed a reorganization plan into law Thursday.

It is unfair to suggest that the entire system is failing, said Heineman.

He pointed to national recognition the system has received in several areas, including for the agency’s pandemic flu planning efforts and small pox vaccination plan. Nebraska also consistently has a very high food stamp payment accuracy rate and does an “outstanding job” collecting child support payments, Heineman said.

Story Photo
Gov. Dave Heineman

Senators attacked the bureaucracy earlier this week before giving 48-1 final approval to the bill that divides the system into six divisions, each generally representing the specific group served.

Senators pointed to complaints about child protective services and recent problems at three state institutions — the Lincoln Regional Center, the veterans home in Omaha and the Beatrice State Developmental Center — uncovered through state or federal inspections.

Heineman pointed out that the agency has been working successfully to reduce the number of children in foster care and said he hopes the reorganization will help improve the agency’s performance, effectiveness and efficiency. “Give us a little bit of time,” he said.

The primary goal of the reorganization is to make the system more accessible to those who use it and provide better accountability, said Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney, who sponsored the bill on behalf of the governor.

The 7 pound, 15.6 ounce bill, which changes the names of the divisions throughout hundreds of pages of state law, sets up these areas: public health, Medicaid and long-term care, children and family services; behavioral health, developmental disabilities and veterans’ homes.

Chris Peterson will remain as the chief executive officer and Dr. Joann Schaefer will remain chief medical officer, said Heineman. He expects to make some appointments within a few weeks and name all division directors by summer.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.


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Lisa H wrote on March 15, 2007 3:29 pm:
" While I am glad to see that there will be some changes to the HHS system, I am disappointed at the same time. I am a single mother working a full time job making 8.00 an hour and I was informed that my daughter no longer meets the standard for medicaid. I don't ask for alot of help but my job doesn't offer insurance and to be honest, I don't know that I would be able to afford it if it were offered. We live well beneath our needs now and with my daughter being taken off medicaid, the doctor bills will start piling up as she is currently under a physicians care and I can't afford to keep having the doctor see her to make sure she is healing right. She is very active and has health issues that still need attention, so what I want to know is How can you take the medical attention my daughter needs away from her when there are so many people out there on medicaid who aren't actually trying to make a difference in their life. We moved to Lincoln 41/2 years ago thinking it would be a good place to start our lives over and now I am having second thoughts as to whether to stay here or not. I now have to find a second job just so that she can receive medical attention she needs because "I make too much money" Well, that is a bunch of bull. My daughter has been through some of the toughest things a child should never have to go through and now it looks like it is just going to be me and her to get through it. What kind of system would let a child go without therapy, doctor's care, and group care just to save a buck????? Maybe heineman should rethink this!!! If this is to bring faimlies together, it isn't happening in this house since I have to get a second job my daughter and I will be spending less time together. "

 Uncertain wrote on March 15, 2007 6:16 pm:
" It's a shame that people that don't make much money are not able to get the benefits that should be offered to them. Family is first and foremost the most important thing in life. I believe the insurance companies have taken the average person out of the health care system. I hope that you can find other work with benefits so that you can watch your little girl grow up. Listen up Heineman, these are the people your should be representing the most in government, not the rich and ruthless. "

 Jose J. Soto wrote on March 15, 2007 9:49 pm:
" Old wine in a new bottle is still old wine. The real task with HHS is system "reformation," not "reorganization" of the existing pieces of the puzzle. "

 Mike McDermott wrote on March 16, 2007 10:40 am:
" With all of the negative comments toward HHS and it's new "reorganization," the question has to be asked, "Are these just coincidences, or is the media doing a poor job of covering the issues facing Nebraskans?" "

 Kathy wrote on March 16, 2007 10:50 am:
" I agree with Jose. Didn't HHS reorganize about 4-5 years ago to make it better & more efficient? Two reorganizations within 6 years doesn't make HHS better, help our low-income citizens or help our foster children. The culture and procedures of that entire organization need to be reformed. Kathy "

 Bob wrote on March 17, 2007 6:27 am:
" Well the good thing is that Governor Heineman will be cared for in the future that you can take to the bank, just like he takes the money from those special interest groups that he seems to be working for. He has no compassion for any of the tax payers of Nebraska who are making only around $8.00 to $10.00 per hour. When will the next reorganization of HHS take place? The plan sounds like someone announcing a new born baby coming in at 7 pound, 15.6 ounces. Sounds like a lot more bureaucracy rules to me, maybe try reducing the rules a bit so that the lower income individuals can get a break like Lisa H. "

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