Strayhorn bashes State Rep John Davis's Accenture

Ouch! During the debate last night Representative John Davis avoided discussing the CHIPs program and the Accenture contract that out sources our tax dollars to Bermuda. And he did the right thing because Carol Strayhorn has issued an audit on Accenture and the Health and Human Services Committee, which John Davis is the Chair, and it is absolutely brutal.

At this writing, the project is behind schedule and $100 million over budget, without a revised plan to get the project back on course. Accenture has not met its performance requirements and has not been held accountable for its failure. Clients are still reporting delays and inaccuracies in processing their applications. HHSC has proven it cannot manage Accenture and the contract.

My conclusion is that this project has failed the state and the citizens it was designed to serve. The contract with Accenture must be ended. I recommend the Legislature pass emergency legislation that removes HHSC's direct management of the project and places the responsibility with a turnaround team composed of experts who can effectively manage state resources and stop the drain on tax dollars. And, most importantly, make sure children receive the health insurance for which they are eligible. In addition, the Legislature should review this administration's 27 major policy changes that have resulted in even more children losing health insurance.

So much for privatization.

Recently Davis rounded up 30 Republicans to defend his privatization plan of out sourcing our tax dollars to Bermuda. His letter can be found here: page 1 page 2 page 3 page 4.