Enhancing clarity at HHS seems doable

 6 comment(s)  
 E-mail Story
 Print Story
  Share

 digg it!
 Facebook
 del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit

Text Size: 

Tools Sponsor

It’s too early for sweeping conclusions on the overall merits of Gov. Dave Heineman’s plan to reorganize the Health and Human Services System.

But the plan seems likely to succeed on one important goal — making the sprawling bureaucracy more understandable to Nebraskans, especially those who need to find services.

That’s a significant issue.

One of the first things a consumer who needs answers about Medicaid or services for military veterans or mental illness does is pick up the phone book.

The list of offices is bewildering. What does the Department of Services do, exactly? And what about the Department of Finance and Support?

By comparison ,the organization chart presented by Heineman offers the basis for phone listings that actually might guide consumers to someone who could help them.

That point was not lost on Pat Snyder, executive director of the Nebraska Health Care Association, who said that naming a department for the services it provides — for example, the proposed Department of Children and Family Services and the proposed Department of Veterans’ Homes — might make easier to find the right phone number.

For about the past decade, the system has been governed by a committee called the Policy Cabinet. That organizational framework had many critics. Kathy Moore, director of Voices for Children, said the framework left the system “rudderless.” Another advocate, Carol Stitt of the foster care review agency, said, “There is a very serious need to clarify who has responsibility and accountability.”

The organizational chart proposed by Heineman follows a traditional hierarchical approach, with a single CEO appointed by the governor. Six department heads, also appointed by the governor, would report to the CEO.

Heineman said the “chain of command” would make clear where responsibility rests.

He also said that by creating a single budget it will be easier to understand how taxpayer money is being spent.

Many of the changes proposed by Heineman require legislative action, so it’s quite possible his proposals could be modified before they are put into place.

He already has the authority to appoint a CEO. Heineman said he plans to name someone to the post by Jan. 1, and he hopes the other changes can take place by July 1 of next year.

Implementing organizational change is frequently a difficult process. But in this case there seems to be widespread recognition, even within the department, that some restructuring is needed. And even if the benefits don’t extend much beyond making the government easier to understand for consumers and taxpayers, it probably still would be worth trying.