Gov. Jim Justice says an outside review of the Department of Health and Human Resources is at its start.
Justice promised the review by outside experts when he vetoed a legislative bill that would have divided the agency. West Virginia lawmakers have characterized DHHR as too big to get a handle on its finances or performance.
Today, the governor said a description of what the state wants is being prepared so consultants can then bid for the job. In a briefing, Justice referred to a request for quote, which is the process for companies to bid on the work.
“The RFQ on my initiative with trying to make DHHR better is out. It’s really close to coming to me for my approval,” Justice said. “Once it goes out into the marketplace then, we’ll solicit the very best minds in an unbiased way and we’ll make our DHHR better.”
When Justice vetoed the bill that would have divided the agency into the Department of Health and the Department of Human Resources, the governor said his administration would work with national experts and industry leaders for a top-to-bottom review “so that we may clearly identify its issues, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies.
“We will work to develop a plan to address any and all problems, which may very well require a full reorganization of the agency. But we will do so in an effective and efficient way, so we can make sure there is no lapse in any vital support or services for the West Virginians who rely on the DHHR.”
Lawmakers of both parties in the Senate and House of Delegates said the split is necessary to get a handle on the agency’s finances as well as its complicated missions of promoting the health of West Virginians, combatting drug addiction issues, supporting the state’s most vulnerable children and more.
This week, Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr said he likes the governor’s idea of an outside review.
“We have seven and a half billion dollars going to DHHR that is not accomplishing the goals that agency has to serve the vulnerable population that it has,” Tarr, R-Putnam, said on “580 Live” on WCHS Radio. “I think the governor’s got a great eye on this to go in and look at how to do that.”
On social media, Delegate Lisa Zukoff says she looks forward to steps to reform DHHR. Zukoff, D-Marshall, also referred to the sudden departure of Jeremiah Samples, the agency’s deputy secretary who has said the agency needs to improve its handling of a variety of issues around the state.
@WVGovernor, the Legislature let our will be known by passing a bill the split the WV DHHR. The behemoth needs tamed to be more efficient and effective for those West Virginians receiving services through its programs, especially our WV children. Jeremiah Samples is a huge loss.
— LisaZukoffWV (@ZukoffWV) April 11, 2022