Sail On
August 15th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Brian Flood, the top watchdog at the scandal-plagued Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced his resignation late this afternoon. As HHSC inspector general — a post created in 2003 — Flood oversaw investigations of fraud and abuse across Texas’ multi-billion dollar health care safety net.
Earlier this year, Flood feuded rather openly with Gov. Rick Perry and HHSC chief Albert Hawkins after Flood released a highly critical report on HHSC’s two major privatization efforts. Those disastrous contracts , including the Accenture mess, cost the state hundreds of millions and deprived many families of benefits. Investigations by Flood’s office made Hawkins’ leadership of the agency look rather clumsy.
The reason for Flood’s departure late today is unclear. There was speculation at the Capitol during the legislative session that Flood was getting forced out because, according to some sources, he had embarrassed Hawkins, the governor’s ally. It’s worth noting that Perry doesn’t praise Flood personally in the HHSC announcement. The governor has appointed an interim IG.
