Thursday, August 02, 2007
from the Kennebec Journal
Sport of Kings
New Medicaid billing system inspires doubts among some
Christmas spirit
Guidance counselor: Dismiss complaint based on criticism of same-sex marriage
CHELSEA: 'Practice burn' provides thrill for 9-year-old
Trust eyes orchard purchase
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Bonenfant rises up Cony ranks
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
YES ON 1 BACKER REBUTS CLAIM
New system for Medicaid payments worries providers
After petition drive, Clinton police force budget will go a third time before voters
A rock musician makes trip home via Black Taxi
MADISON: After revaluation, abatement requests reviewed
Parks to have facelift
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Sweet does job for Madison
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Rotundo, a Lewiston Democrat who heads the Appropriations Committee, said legislators want to help the state Department of Health and Human Services shore up administration of the program.
"It's one way of supporting the real good work they are doing with the food stamps," she said. "I see that as a positive support for the very aggressive work the state has done."
Gov. John Baldacci signed the financial order last month, and the committee voted last week to approve the funding so it could be disbursed in an expedited manner. The amount approved was $989,675.
The money was transferred from the department's "all other" account and put into personnel, according to the Legislature's fiscal office.
The federal government has warned Maine that if it doesn't reduce its error rate in the food stamp program, it will fine the state. A few years ago, the state faced a $634,000 fine, said Barbara Van Burgel, director of the Office of Integrated Access & Support.
Maine has the highest error rate in the country, with an average nearly double the national average.
An error is when the state pays too much to a food stamp-eligible family, or when it cuts off a family before the appropriate time.
A major reason for the errors is that workers who handle food stamps and other federal programs are carrying caseloads that are almost twice what they should be, according to DHHS.
The other complicating factor is that Maine provides food stamp benefits to nearly all residents who qualify for the program with a 96 percent penetration rate.
Rotundo said while the federal government praises Maine for getting help to those who are eligible, it is threatening to punish the state for administrative errors.
The 20 positions are considered limited period, which means they expire in June 2009.
Van Burgel said she hopes to have all the positions filled in three weeks. After a training period, the new workers will be on the job in early October.
In addition to adding the workers, the state also is reorganizing the way it handles food stamp cases.
"We think it's going to be a huge help," she said.
Susan Cover -- 623-1056
scover@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
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In Maine, the best thing Government knows how to do is grow more Government.
DHHS is a total disaster from one end to the other - they "lost" $180 Million dollars; they have the worst fraud and error record in the country for food stamps; the never-ending programs and services are a drain on all the working taxpayers in the state.
What's the answer to this newest DHHS mess?? Another 20 state employees we have to pay for, including salaries, benefits and pensions? When we already have some $6 BILLION dollars in unfunded state pension liabilities now?
OH, BRILLIANT!
More money down the State rathole. Thank you so very much, Governor Baldacci and pals.report abuse
We are number 1 at something!!!
1 mil/20 jobs=50k per year plus benefits?
For passing out food stamps!!!
How can this be justified???
Only in this nanny state.....report abuse
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