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Statement on HHSC’s Decision to Put Social Service Call Centers on Hold

  

Author:
Celia Cole /(512) 320-0222 x110

April 7, 2006

Statement on HHSC’s Decision to Put Social Service Call Centers on Hold >>  
HHSC Reviews Policies, Contractor Performance >>  

The Center for Public Policy Priorities supports the difficult decision the Texas Health and Human Services Commission made Wednesday to delay for at least 30 days the next phase of a new system that uses privately run call centers to help people apply for food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF. Since the January launch of pilots in Travis and Hays counties, the new system has been marked by technical difficulties, staffing shortages, and inadequate training of private call center staff. These problems have delayed services to clients, caused thousands of children to lose their health insurance, and frustrated both clients and staff.