Bauer asks Gov. Sanford to name new HHS chief

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer Tuesday called on Gov. Mark Sanford to name a new director for the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Bauer said the department needs a director in order to stem public concern that a new $250 million contract to transport seniors and people with disabilities  might pose a danger to them.

The Department of Health and Human Services entered into a new contract with two out-of-state agencies in May to take-over non-emergency transporta-tion services from local contractors.

That decision has been under protest since  Sanford made it, and on Tuesday in Greenville, dozens attended a meeting called by Bauer to  complain about the new system’s failures.

Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, who chairs the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, is holding a similar meeting today in Columbia. Complaints range from failure to pick up nursing home patients for transport to vital medical care, to returning patients to incorrrect addresses and refusal by new contract employees to assist the elderly and disabled customers.

The state health agency, which oversees the Medicaid program, has been without a director since Robbie Kerr resigned the position four months ago to become a health consultant.

Comments

[Sammy]

Mark Sanford largest department in government has been without a head since March 29, 2007...which is 112 days ago.

The Governor calls that 2.5 months ...perhaps that is the Governors problem...he can't count.

If he could maybe SC government would not be growing at the astonshing rate of 43%!!!

[LexCoBoy]

I attended the meeting in Greenville…and there were nearly 300 people there.The room was completly full. I was very impressed with the testimony at the hearing, and especially the statements made by those caregivers of the seniors and elderly.

I am an advocate for the needy and I am thankful for what the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging has done by bring light to this situation. I do not understand why Governor Mark Sanford does not want to fix this problem. Why can’t the Governor’s office work the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging, and the Health and Human Services work together to make transportation safe?

[NTSB]

The private airport owner stated:” the pilot wanted to turn the airplane around before starting it. The pilot and three other personnel attempted to move the airplane by hand with “negative results”. The pilot entered the airplane, released the parking brake, exited the airplane, and attempted to move the airplane with “negative results”. The pilot and passenger entered the airplane. The pilot started the engine, turned the airplane around with “power”and taxied to runway 06 for VFR departure to Columbia”

“Examination of runway 06 by the FAA after the accident revealed the airplane traveled 819 feet on the take off roll before encountering the dirt section of the runway. Two skid marks were present in the dirt section of the runway. The left skid mark was was measured 417 feet long and the right skid mark was measured 388 feet long.. The width of the Mooney M-20 E landing gear is 9 feet and three quarters of an inch long. The distance between the left and right main landing gear is skid marks are 9 feet and three quarters of an inch. Ten feet past the left skid mark appeared to be a tail strike mark on a stone with a bluish color. The bottom of the accident airplane is blue in color”.

Why would the pilot turn the plane around under “power”, taxi, to takeoff when moments earlier four people were unable to roll the plane. Why would you have skid marks over the length of a football field.

[JiminSC]

He should replace some people at DHEC as well. Somebody with a plan, or at least a clue.