Wisconsin's Birth to 3 Program is recognized nationally as an innovative and exemplary program in support of families during their child's dynamic period of development.
Please contact Darsell Johns at (608) 267-3270 if you have questions regarding this report.
Sincerely,
dennis g. smith
Secretary
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State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 2, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As the first phase of our comprehensive evaluation of the Medical Assistance program requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, we have completed a review of the Enrollment Services Center established by the Department of Health Services (DHS) in 2008 to centrally manage day-to-day operations of certain public assistance programs. As of March 2011, the center was staffed by 482 individuals, 432 of whom were employed by Hewlett-Packard (HP) Enterprise Services, Inc., under amendments to its contract as the State's fiscal agent for Medical Assistance. Since fiscal year (FY) 2008-09, HP Enterprise Services and another private contractor - Automated Health Systems, Inc. - have been paid nearly $27.6 million for services related to the BadgerCare Plus plans that expand health care services to adults without dependent children, as well the FoodShare program for low-income, childless adults.
DHS appears to have established and rapidly expanded the Enrollment Services Center with little organized planning, limited legislative oversight, and no formal efforts to determine the appropriate mix of contract and state staff. We identified a number of concerns the Legislature may wish to consider as it deliberates a proposal that would create operations similar to those at the Enrollment Services Center for all BadgerCare Plus plans. For example, we noted a lack of quality assurance activities prior to 2011, the potential loss of federal funding under program rules that require public employees to make eligibility determinations, and mixed success in other states' efforts to implement similar initiatives. The extent to which DHS has used an existing contract to staff the Enrollment Services Center also raises questions about the transparency of its contracting practices.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff of DHS, HP Enterprise Services, and Automated Health Systems in completing this review.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 3, 2011
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Townsend, John,
of Fond Du Lac, as a member of the Board of Veterans Affairs to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs.
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The committee on Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs reports and recommends:
Relating to certification of disabled veteran-owned businesses, and affecting small businesses.
No action taken.
Randy Hopper
Chairperson
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The committee on Transportation and Elections reports and recommends:
Relating to temporary operation plates or permits.
No action taken.
Mary Lazich
Chairperson
