State Auditor Mike Foley made the announcement that assistance programs run by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for the elderly, blind or disabled wasted millions of taxpayer dollars.
He added that some of the issues are criminal in nature as well.
The problem programs examined in the report are the Assistance to the Aged, Blind or Disabled program and the State Disability Program, which use nearly $15 million in state tax dollars each year.
The programs provide cash payments to qualified persons with little or no income for basic life needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and payments for medical expenses. Around 6,000 Nebraskans participate in the programs.
Foley says the audit team found that in 36 percent of the randomly selected cases, DHHS was making cash payments for basic living expenses or medical payments that were unreasonable or in direct violation of state law or regulations.
An example given in Foley's statement included a payment of $645 for "living expenses" to a convicted felon who was at the time incarcerated in the State Penitentiary.
"Once again, the citizens of Nebraska have seen their hard-earned tax dollars squandered by the State's largest agency of government," shared Foley in his statement. "Clearly, the people who pay the bills have been disserved again."
Auditors also found that some disabled people continued to receive payments through the AABD program even after medical evaluations revealed they were no longer eligible for assistance.
The audit found hundred of thousands of dollars were paid out to individuals who wrongly had their applications approved by DHHS workers.
An investigation has been launched against Judith Widener, who authorities believe took hundreds of thousands of dollars from individuals to whom she was named a guardian.
Full Article and Source:
DHHS Once Again in Hot Seat After State Audit Finds Issues in Elderly, Disabled Assistance Programs
See Also:
Nebraska State Auditor: Guardian Fleeced State Wards
We need more people like Mike Foley who investigates and keeps on it. Not just taking the file and passing it along to another desk or department. Most states need more auditing like this. Just think how much money could be saved in tax dollars across the US.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Diane. Investigative reporting is paramount.
ReplyDeleteGo auditor! Thank you for your due diligence in this investigation, the results of which should help so many.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see Nebraska take this seriously and not just think Judith Widener was the only rotten apple.
ReplyDelete600 guardianship clients!
ReplyDeleteSounds a lot like Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, the cat lady of guardianship programs in Virginia.
The outcome of all this scrutiny should benefit the citizens on Nebraska. I am pleased to see a state audit.
ReplyDelete