Long Thompson calls for review of privatization efforts
Long Thompson calls for review of privatization efforts
Long Thompson says projects should be the focus of a review
By Tim Evans
August 21, 2008
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson called Wednesday for a bipartisan review of privatization projects initiated under the administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels, saying some of the deals don't appear to be serving Hoosiers well and actually may be adding to taxpayers' burden.
Long Thompson specifically cited the Family and Social Services Administration's eligibility modernization project -- in which a private consortium is being paid more than $1 billion over 10 years to handle initial intake functions formerly done by state workers.
"Secretary (Mitch) Roob admitted . . . that we're not seeing any cost savings," she said of the project, which has spurred myriad complaints about bad service from advocates for the poor, elderly and disabled.
Long Thompson issued her proposal during a Statehouse news conference Wednesday afternoon, just hours after the Select Joint Commission on Medicaid Oversight discussed the FSSA project at a meeting on the House floor.
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