Several state lawmakers on Tuesday praised West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy Hardy for making personnel moves at the agency, saying they hope the shuffle signals that more changes are in store.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Several state lawmakers on Tuesday praised West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy Hardy for making personnel moves at the agency, saying they hope the shuffle signals that more changes are in store.
Hardy on Monday announced that she has made state Bureau for Medical Services Commissioner Marsha Morris deputy general counsel of DHHR. The lawmakers say that move likely means Hardy -- who took over Sept. 1 -- is taking an aggressive look at the department's organizational structure.
"I give her credit for being motivated to make the changes that many legislators believe needed to have been implemented earlier to take advantage of the talent of the people that she has," said House Health and Human Resources Chairman Don Perdue, D-Wayne.
DHHR inspector general Molly Jordan will serve as the interim director of Medical Services until the position is filled, DHHR spokesman John Law said. Deputy inspector general Sam Cook will serve as acting inspector general.
"[Hardy] has been there for about two months, and has really had time to assess the department," Law said. "She is moving people into positions where she feels they will be the most valuable to the department."
In her new position, Morris will concentrate on legal issues involving Medicaid and health information technology, he added.
Perdue said he believes Hardy's actions signal that she wants to tackle the department's problems head-on. He and other lawmakers say they have been frustrated with the agency for not giving timely information to the Legislature, among other things.
"My concern has been ... that the department was struggling, and I think Ms. Hardy has shown that she intends full well to overcome some of the inefficiencies that we have seen recently," he said.
Lawmakers also are worried about vacancies in DHHR, especially within Medical Services, which administers Medicaid. At an interim legislative meeting last month, they learned that nearly four of every 10 positions at Medical Services are empty.
"I'm hopeful that her moves signal a desire to not only increase efficiency, but to improve the work force at Medicaid, [which has] shrunk to levels that make it a very inefficient organization," Perdue said.
House Majority Leader Brent Boggs, another legislator who has pressed DHHR for more timely information, had similar thoughts.
"I'm very optimistic with the changes that Secretary Hardy is making," the Braxton County Democrat said. "I think that she apparently is looking all up and down the agency.... From all appearances, she is making some bold moves, and I would be surprised if she didn't make more."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Several state lawmakers on Tuesday praised West Virginia
Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy Hardy for making personnel moves at the agency, saying they hope the shuffle signals that more changes are in store.
Hardy on Monday announced that she has made state Bureau for Medical Services Commissioner Marsha Morris deputy general counsel of DHHR. The lawmakers say that move likely means Hardy -- who took over Sept. 1 -- is taking an aggressive look at the department's organizational structure.
"I give her credit for being motivated to make the changes that many legislators believe needed to have been implemented earlier to take advantage of the talent of the people that she has," said House Health and Human Resources Chairman Don Perdue, D-Wayne.
DHHR inspector general Molly Jordan will serve as the interim director of Medical Services until the position is filled, DHHR spokesman John Law said. Deputy inspector general Sam Cook will serve as acting inspector general.
"[Hardy] has been there for about two months, and has really had time to assess the department," Law said. "She is moving people into positions where she feels they will be the most valuable to the department."
In her new position, Morris will concentrate on legal issues involving Medicaid and health information technology, he added.
Perdue said he believes Hardy's actions signal that she wants to tackle the department's problems head-on. He and other lawmakers say they have been frustrated with the agency for not giving timely information to the Legislature, among other things.
"My concern has been ... that the department was struggling, and I think Ms. Hardy has shown that she intends full well to overcome some of the inefficiencies that we have seen recently," he said.
Lawmakers also are worried about vacancies in DHHR, especially within Medical Services, which administers Medicaid. At an interim legislative meeting last month, they learned that nearly four of every 10 positions at Medical Services are empty.
"I'm hopeful that her moves signal a desire to not only increase efficiency, but to improve the work force at Medicaid, [which has] shrunk to levels that make it a very inefficient organization," Perdue said.
House Majority Leader Brent Boggs, another legislator who has pressed DHHR for more timely information, had similar thoughts.
"I'm very optimistic with the changes that Secretary Hardy is making," the Braxton County Democrat said. "I think that she apparently is looking all up and down the agency.... From all appearances, she is making some bold moves, and I would be surprised if she didn't make more."
Boggs said Hardy impressed him at an interim legislative meeting last month, when she told lawmakers exactly how many West Virginians were on the waiting list of an in-home care program for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
"That is something that we have literally begged for, for months and months and months, and we could never get the information," Boggs said.
Lawmakers aren't the only officials who have expressed frustration with the agency. In recent months, Kanawha County Circuit Court and state Supreme Court judges have criticized the department for what they call systemic problems in mental health care, child protective services, and other matters.
Morris had served as Medicaid commissioner since 2007. She previously worked as a lawyer for several legislative committees.
"Ms. Morris did a yeoman's job in a very difficult situation, but will now be positioned to use her skills to better advantage," Perdue said.
Gov. Joe Manchin announced in July that he would appoint Hardy, a former hospital administrator, to the DHHR post. Hardy replaced Martha Walker, who now heads the new Governor's Office of Health Enhancement and Lifestyle Planning.
Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.
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But the real solution to the problem is not installing yet another person in the existing organization, the malady is inherent in the existing structure and function of the DHHR itself. The biggest shame continues to be that many people there work hard, struggle and then burn out keeping the monster alive and well. They leave, it stays.
And given the economic issues facing the state, it doesn't look like any innovative and needed fundamental restructuring is on the table which might actually address improving the quality of care and service to West Virginians.
I hope Sec. Hardy can visualize the big picture rather than settle for adequately maintaining a dysfunctional agency. I do wish her well.
But any fundamental organizational change must come from the Governor and Legislature.