HOOKER ODOM RESIGNS: Carmen, we wished we'd never knew ye : The flawed audit of Endorsed Provider Data which took her out
GOOD TIMING, CARMEN. YOU ESCAPE AND LEAVE ALLEN DOBSON, MD (DMA: Medicaid; Medicare : <allen.dobson@ncmail.net>) and MIKE MOSLEY (Director of MH: mike.moseley@ncmail.net) holding the bag:
".....With the new rate, DHHS has also set new rules for providers. Before the rate change, providers were given a maximum of 28 hours per client a week. Now providers have a maximum of 12 hours. In a news release issued by DHHS, Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom said the new rate is fair and covers the actual cost of the services. DHHS looked specifically at 16 providers' data and decided that the new rate does show the actual cost. Marsha V. Hammond, a community service provider from Rutherford County has had no problem with expressing her disgust with the rate change and the audit. "The audit of which Carmen Hooker Odom speaks is a flawed, non-transparent, piece of statistical crap," Hammond said. Hammond said in the past two weeks there have been many complaints sent to DHHS with no response. ..."
http://www.kinston.com/articles/_38126___article.html/_.html
From David Cornwall, who manages this important mental health listserv in Western NC:
David Cornwell - 828-654-8754- http://www.ncmentalhope.org/ :
"....Thanks to a couple of folks who passed along the official press release from the HHS office on Hooker Odom's departure. Certainly among interest is the many accomplishments listing during her tenure here. For myself, a certain song from the Wizard of Oz comes to mind...." (HINT: Its not 'follow the yellow brick road'.)
Another provider, Robin B. Huffman, Executive Director of the NORTH CAROLINA PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION comments: "I've been singing Celebrate-Dance to the music."
For Release: Immediate Date: May 4, 2007
Contact: Debbie Crane (919) 733-9190 debbie.crane@ncmail.net
DHHS SECRETARY HOOKER ODOM TO LEAD MILBANK MEMORIAL FUND
RALEIGH – North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom today announced that she will become President of the Milbank Memorial Fund. The Fund is a New-York based foundation that conducts non-partisan analysis, study and research on significant issues in health policy.
“Accepting this position gives me an unprecedented opportunity to have an impact on the future of critical health care issues across the nation. Leaving DHHS is a tough decision. Our team has accomplished so much during the past six-and-a-half years, but I think we have laid a good platform for continued future success in many areas,” she said. “But, I believe that I can continue to make a difference improving health care for all Americans by working with Milbank.”
Hooker Odom has served on the Milbank Board of Directors since 2001. Milbank Board Chairman Tony Milbank says he has watched Hooker Odom during that time and that she is a good fit to lead the Fund. “We’re ecstatic that she agreed to take the position,” he said. “She has the depth of knowledge, the imagination and the presence to bring divergent views to a consensus.”
Hooker Odom said that serving as DHHS Secretary has been a “rewarding” experience. “The thing about this job is that no two days are alike,” she said. “There are constant challenges but many rewards. In the past six years, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the people that we serve. Looking into their eyes and seeing how their lives are improved by our work – quite simply, this has been one of the most exciting and rewarding times of my life.”
Gov. Mike Easley appointed Hooker Odom DHHS Secretary in January 2001. During her tenure as Secretary, DHHS has:
Expanded and fully funded North Carolina Health Choice for Children, which provides health insurance for children whose families make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little to cover health insurance premiums. Unlike other states, North Carolina has avoided a freeze on enrollment.
Expanded Community Care of North Carolina to all 100 counties, ensuring that most Medicaid recipients have access to a managed care program that provides them with a medical home.
Undertaken the largest child welfare reform effort in the state’s history. The Multiple Response System is based on providing family-centered services to families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect.
– More –
Hooker Odom/page 2
Expanded community mental health services to Medicaid recipients. Medicaid now covers a full-range of substance abuse services, mobile crisis teams, improved adolescent treatment and community treatment teams.
Built a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital which is due to open late this year. Planning is also underway to replace two other psychiatric hospitals.
Created child and family support teams to help at-risk children avoid failure in school by coordinating services among education, health and social service agencies.
Reduced cigarette use and increased sales tax revenues through support of an increased cigarette tax.
Helped hundreds of North Carolinians get access to AIDS drugs by increasing the numbers of people eligible for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
Increased the number of school nurses and the number of children in early intervention programs.
Funded 947 housing units for people with disabilities under the DHHS-NC Housing Finance Agency partnership in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Created local plans and funded innovative programs to end homelessness.
Hooker Odom has a distinguished career in public service. Prior to relocating to North Carolina, she served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives where she focused on health care issues.
The Milbank Memorial Fund has remained true to its mission since its founding in 1905 by the Milbank family. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Hooker Odom served as a Project Officer with the Fund in the mid-1990s.
Hooker Odom will stay in her position through the legislative session. She begins her work with the Milbank Memorial Fund in October.
Hooker Odom is married to former state Senator Fountain Odom, an attorney, tree farmer and apiarist. Between them, they have three daughters, three sons and 11 grandchildren. The couple will relocate to Manhattan this fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina Mental Hope
A little bit of hope is a powerful thing ...
Check out daily mental health news updates at ncmentalhope.org
David Cornwell - 828-654-8754
http://www.ncmentalhope.org/
".....With the new rate, DHHS has also set new rules for providers. Before the rate change, providers were given a maximum of 28 hours per client a week. Now providers have a maximum of 12 hours. In a news release issued by DHHS, Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom said the new rate is fair and covers the actual cost of the services. DHHS looked specifically at 16 providers' data and decided that the new rate does show the actual cost. Marsha V. Hammond, a community service provider from Rutherford County has had no problem with expressing her disgust with the rate change and the audit. "The audit of which Carmen Hooker Odom speaks is a flawed, non-transparent, piece of statistical crap," Hammond said. Hammond said in the past two weeks there have been many complaints sent to DHHS with no response. ..."
http://www.kinston.com/articles/_38126___article.html/_.html
From David Cornwall, who manages this important mental health listserv in Western NC:
David Cornwell - 828-654-8754- http://www.ncmentalhope.org/ :
"....Thanks to a couple of folks who passed along the official press release from the HHS office on Hooker Odom's departure. Certainly among interest is the many accomplishments listing during her tenure here. For myself, a certain song from the Wizard of Oz comes to mind...." (HINT: Its not 'follow the yellow brick road'.)
Another provider, Robin B. Huffman, Executive Director of the NORTH CAROLINA PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION comments: "I've been singing Celebrate-Dance to the music."
For Release: Immediate Date: May 4, 2007
Contact: Debbie Crane (919) 733-9190 debbie.crane@ncmail.net
DHHS SECRETARY HOOKER ODOM TO LEAD MILBANK MEMORIAL FUND
RALEIGH – North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom today announced that she will become President of the Milbank Memorial Fund. The Fund is a New-York based foundation that conducts non-partisan analysis, study and research on significant issues in health policy.
“Accepting this position gives me an unprecedented opportunity to have an impact on the future of critical health care issues across the nation. Leaving DHHS is a tough decision. Our team has accomplished so much during the past six-and-a-half years, but I think we have laid a good platform for continued future success in many areas,” she said. “But, I believe that I can continue to make a difference improving health care for all Americans by working with Milbank.”
Hooker Odom has served on the Milbank Board of Directors since 2001. Milbank Board Chairman Tony Milbank says he has watched Hooker Odom during that time and that she is a good fit to lead the Fund. “We’re ecstatic that she agreed to take the position,” he said. “She has the depth of knowledge, the imagination and the presence to bring divergent views to a consensus.”
Hooker Odom said that serving as DHHS Secretary has been a “rewarding” experience. “The thing about this job is that no two days are alike,” she said. “There are constant challenges but many rewards. In the past six years, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the people that we serve. Looking into their eyes and seeing how their lives are improved by our work – quite simply, this has been one of the most exciting and rewarding times of my life.”
Gov. Mike Easley appointed Hooker Odom DHHS Secretary in January 2001. During her tenure as Secretary, DHHS has:
Expanded and fully funded North Carolina Health Choice for Children, which provides health insurance for children whose families make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little to cover health insurance premiums. Unlike other states, North Carolina has avoided a freeze on enrollment.
Expanded Community Care of North Carolina to all 100 counties, ensuring that most Medicaid recipients have access to a managed care program that provides them with a medical home.
Undertaken the largest child welfare reform effort in the state’s history. The Multiple Response System is based on providing family-centered services to families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect.
– More –
Hooker Odom/page 2
Expanded community mental health services to Medicaid recipients. Medicaid now covers a full-range of substance abuse services, mobile crisis teams, improved adolescent treatment and community treatment teams.
Built a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital which is due to open late this year. Planning is also underway to replace two other psychiatric hospitals.
Created child and family support teams to help at-risk children avoid failure in school by coordinating services among education, health and social service agencies.
Reduced cigarette use and increased sales tax revenues through support of an increased cigarette tax.
Helped hundreds of North Carolinians get access to AIDS drugs by increasing the numbers of people eligible for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
Increased the number of school nurses and the number of children in early intervention programs.
Funded 947 housing units for people with disabilities under the DHHS-NC Housing Finance Agency partnership in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Created local plans and funded innovative programs to end homelessness.
Hooker Odom has a distinguished career in public service. Prior to relocating to North Carolina, she served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives where she focused on health care issues.
The Milbank Memorial Fund has remained true to its mission since its founding in 1905 by the Milbank family. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Hooker Odom served as a Project Officer with the Fund in the mid-1990s.
Hooker Odom will stay in her position through the legislative session. She begins her work with the Milbank Memorial Fund in October.
Hooker Odom is married to former state Senator Fountain Odom, an attorney, tree farmer and apiarist. Between them, they have three daughters, three sons and 11 grandchildren. The couple will relocate to Manhattan this fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina Mental Hope
A little bit of hope is a powerful thing ...
Check out daily mental health news updates at ncmentalhope.org
David Cornwell - 828-654-8754
http://www.ncmentalhope.org/
posted by Marsha V. Hammond, PhD at 1:06 PM
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