Human services savings fall short of expectations
Source: Associated Press (TX), 03/01/2006
The reorganization of Texas' health and human services system saved the state about $962 million over the past two years, nearly $173 million less than expected, officials said Wednesday. The massive overhaul approved by the Legislature in 2003 was supposed to save Texas $1.1 billion by August 2005, according to a fiscal analysis given to lawmakers three years ago. ..... The state also expected to save nearly $35 million through the implementation of a new eligibility system and the opening of call centers around the state, he said. Because the project was delayed, nothing was saved in 2004 and 2005, but Hawkins said he expects significant savings this year and in the future. .... The commission is replacing 99 of its 310 eligibility offices with four call centers run by Accenture, a technology consulting firm. It hired another company to take over its payroll and human resources operations.