Texas state agency could close 217 offices

The Paris News - A proposed redesign of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission calls for the closing of 217 field offices and laying off almost 4,500 workers.

In place of the closing offices, three call centers will be set up to determine eligibility for services like Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and long-term care. Four mobile offices will be created to expand access in rural areas. Internet and fax services as well as an automated phone system are also part of the plan.

“Based on what I’ve been seeing, we can only assume that offices like ours (will be closing),” said Harold Askew, a case analyst supervisor with the Texas Department of Human Services office in Clarksville.

A 29-year DHS veteran, Askew said a couple of call centers and a phone system cannot take the place of face-to-face customer service.

Charlotte Rozell, a secretary with long term care at the Clarksville Texas DHS office, agreed with Askew. Rozell is familiar with the clients her office serves and she knows that the process can be complicated. A call center won’t offer a simplified solution, she said, especially [areas] which have a high population of senior adults.

“They have a hard time understanding it when you’re standing right in front of them,” she said.

Goodman said the commission plans to conduct public hearings to ask residents about their opinions about the new model. Both Rozell and Askew urge people to attend the public hearings, which are scheduled for 3 to 8:30 p.m. April 30. Tyler, Grand Prairie, Lubbock, Abilene, Beaumont, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso and Edinburg will have concurrent hearings.

A hotline at Gov. Rick Perry’s office has been set up for Texans to voice concerns about proposed changes, especially residents in rural communities. Residents may call 1-800-252-9600.

Currently, the state spends $700 million a year to determine if people qualify for services, which is more than twice the amount paid out in cash assistance. The proposed plan would save the state an estimated $389 million during the next five years.

el - Note that after the change the state will stile spend almost twice as much to determine if people are eligible for services as they spend in cash assistance. A more progressive plan would streamline and improve the system to give more money where it is needed instead of making it more difficult for people to recieve services.