Accountability? Not So Much
May 1st, 2007 at 1:05 pm
The full Senate is expected to confirm health commissioner Albert Hawkins to a third term this afternoon. We hear Hawkins’ supporters have at least the 21 votes needed to approve the HHSC chief, though before the vote, several senators likely will criticize Hawkins’ handling of the numerous controversies at HHSC.
Hawkins is a smart, affable man, well liked at the Capitol. But his agency has had some issues lately. None was bigger than the Accenture-call center fiasco — a grand experiment with making a private company the gate-keeper to government programs. It was the biggest contract in state history (nearly $900 million) and was the first time any state had outsourced such a core government function. It became a national embarrassment. Remember the CHIP applications that somehow wound up in Seattle?
The Accenture mess is just one example. HHSC has been in disarray on numerous fronts — auditors who can’t do their jobs, a sputtering new computer system that burns through money like Paris Hilton on an expense account, and contracts rife with apparent conflicts of interest.
Not a single top official at HHSC has lost their job over any of this. And it sure looks like the guy at the top will stay around at least another two years.
May 1st, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Speaking of accountability or, otherwise known on this date as ‘Mission Accomplished Day’:
George W’s Eight Year One Night Stand
All have been penetrated!
Many were initially elated!
Excited by his big, BIG compassionate plan!
Really a true Texas sized man!
Interested in just one thing?
Could it be just a fling?
Always staying his hard cowboy course?
Simply leading to remorse?
Could in him she long term trust?
Resulting only in power lust?
Eventually she would succumb!
What had she become?
Everyone knew he would finally just walk away!
Deepest silent sorrow for her - and utter dismay!
The ‘real’ mission accomplished!
May 1st, 2007 at 8:32 pm
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