The FSSA fizzle

from the JLT field team

Last week, the team visited Kokomo, IN for the meeting of the Select Joint Commission on Medicaid.

Last Thursday, we attended the Select Joint Commission on Medicaid in Kokomo, Indiana, one of the first sites for the rollout of the modernization and privatization effort. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the shortcomings of this new system and the resulting failures of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Technology, including telephone call centers, the internet, and fax services, are part of this effort and instead of streamlining the process, have made it more difficult for Hoosiers to access the resources they desperately need. Modernization sounds like a great concept, but high-tech solutions are often inconvenient for people who are disabled and for older generations - those most often in need of FSSA's assistance. Instead, Indiana needs practical solutions to solve the problems we face.

FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob, who was representing the governor's office, seemed to display an attitude becoming characteristic of Mitch Daniels' administration - he was simply out of touch. While making his abbreviated presentation at the beginning of the meeting, Roob continuously blamed the floods that plagued parts of Indiana as the reason for the unfavorable statistics regarding the Daniels administration's recent performance. He also left the room during much of the public testimony that took place later in the meeting, showing his lack of consideration for Hoosiers' concerns.

Public testimony made it clear that the problems caused by modernization and privatization are being felt in major ways. Those most affected are not receiving the necessary services - some residents even broke down during testimony. The stories included a laundry list of mishaps from ailing family members and incredible self-sacrifice to extremely long waiting periods and unconscionable denials of services. They told stories of having to spend entire retirement savings accounts to pay the medical bills of sick family members. They told stories of waiting months to receive services and during that time having to repeatedly go through the application process. Above all, lack of accountability by the government was a recurring theme in every story.

Instead of continuing this cycle of mismanagement and failure, Jill Long Thompson sees another direction for our state. Jill opposes privatization of the FSSA and other government services. As Governor, she would review all contracts to see what legal recourses the state may have and what would be the best options for all Hoosiers. Privatization is bad for FSSA and bad for Indiana.