Roger J. Bisson’s wife waited on hold with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services one day last month for two hours before she heard the telltale “click.” “They hung up on us,” said Bisson of Topsham, whose severely disabled adult daughter was nearly cut from MaineCare last month because DHHS couldn’t find her […]
dhhs
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine files countersuit in general assistance battle
AUGUSTA — The Department of Health and Human Services has shot back at the Maine Municipal Association and the cities of Portland and Westbrook with a counterclaim in a fledgling legal battle that involves a new state initiative to bar undocumented aliens from receiving General Assistance benefits. Filed Monday in U.S. District Court, the lawsuit […]
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State
Mayhew: Work requirement for food stamps not punitive
AUGUSTA — After a five-year break, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services plans to once again require childless adults to work in order to receive help through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. The department announced Wednesday that it will require work, public service or job training for […]
Posted inLocal & State
MMA sues for guidance on General Assistance for undocumented immigrants
AUGUSTA — In a suit filed Thursday, a statewide association for Maine cities is asking a judge to rule on the legality of a new policy from the administration of Republican Gov. Paul LePage that would cut funding to cities that provide welfare benefits to undocumented immigrants. Earlier this year, the Maine Department of Health […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Sen. John Patrick: Repairing DHHS must become a priority
From the folks on the front lines working to help families recover from poverty, to the staunchest government watchdog, there is broad agreement that we cannot tolerate waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in our anti-poverty programs. Unfortunately, that broad agreement breaks down in the overheated rhetoric around poverty, welfare and how best to help families […]
Posted inLocal & State
Short-staffing at DHHS blamed for delays in delivering food stamp benefits
AUGUSTA — The Department of Health and Human Services blames short-staffing for a delay in its delivery of supplemental food benefits to eligible low-income Mainers. DHHS spokesman John Martins, who could not immediately identify how many recipients are being affected by the problem, said the backlog affects people involved in the annual renewal process, which […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine terminates Alexander Group contract for welfare report
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday that it is terminating a nearly $1 million contract with a group hired to study Maine’s welfare system. “We determined there was value contained in the content that was produced under this agreement,” according to a statement released by the department. “But serious […]
Posted inLocal & State
LePage says DHHS in talks with consultant over plagiarized study
LEWISTON — Gov. Paul LePage said he hoped the problems around a controversial welfare study his administration commissioned on a $925,200 no-bid contract could be used as an “education moment,” during a visit to Lewiston on Thursday. LePage was visiting the Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee when he told […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Michaud proposes inspector general to oversee DHHS
AUGUSTA — Democratic candidate for governor Mike Michaud said Thursday that if elected, he will create a state-level Office of Inspector General to fight “waste, fraud and abuse” in the Department of Health and Human Services. Michaud’s announcement appeared to be in reaction to a message that Republican Gov. Paul LePage has been focused on […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
LePage suspends payments for welfare report
AUGUSTA – Republican Gov. Paul LePage said he was concerned about accusations of plagiarism by the controversial Alexander Group and would take immediate action against the company, if warranted, after getting a full report of the facts. LePage said in an interview Friday that payments had already been suspended to the Alexander Group on Wednesday, […]