Mark Benton

Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom and her antisocial lackeys at the Division of Medical Assistance decided last week that they needed another week to analyze the costs of Community Support services. Of course, they didn't see any need to analyze costs at all when Secretary Odom precipitously slashed funding by a third, making the cuts retroactive to March 1. Due to massive public pressure (that's you) the Odom retreated to a position of making the new unsustainable rate begin April 5 and continue until they set a new rate using their magickal After-the-Fact cost analysis.

The Asheville Citizen-Times and the head of Western Highlands Local Mgmt. Entity (the body that ostensibly coordinates services for many of the western counties) have both called for Secretary Odom's dismissal. Reminiscent of George W. Bush's "complete confidence" in Alberto Gonzales, Governor Easley has expressed his complete confidence in Secretary Odom. Her decision to slash rates to $40/hour for a service that breaks even at $53/hour sent the entire state network of private providers into a mad scramble for cash to meet payroll, to keep their doors open.

Rep. Charles Thomas (R-116) today moved that the House Appropriations Committee hold a public hearing regarding the mental health system crisis precipitated by Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom and her lackeys. The motion was seconded and carried.

Unless House Speaker Joe Hackney kills it, there will be a public hearing next week. Secretary Odom, Division Director Allen Dobson, Deputy Director Mark Benton, and Director Mike Moseley will also be expected to attend.

When I say public, I mean public. Every citizen of North Carolina who's affected by Secretary Hooker Odom's impulsive, dangerous decision to slash Community Support rate will have the right to speak.

{pic credit Mike Dirks at Hendersonville Times-News}

Background on this story here, here, here, here, here, here.

Hendersonville Times-News: "Mental health care leaders in the mountains are calling for the dismissal of North Carolina's top health official on the grounds of mismanagement."
[...]
"This cut was done without any consultation with providers, LMEs, counties, CFAC (Consumer and Family Advisory Council), advocates and hospitals, the very ones that supply the essential mental health services in our communities," [Jason] Chappell wrote.
[...]
"Chappell asked residents to "request that the rates are re-instated and action be taken to place competent people in charge of mental health in the state."

An assistant to Secretary of Health and Human Services Carmen Hooker Odom came to the DHHS lobby to greet us yesterday. She reported that (1) Secretary Odom was out of the office in very important meetings; (2) that Secretary Odom was carefully answering every email she'd been sent; (3) that it was impossible to give us an idea of when the Secretary would be available or to give us any part of the Secretary's schedule; (4) that Secretary Odom hadn't yet started to respond to the emails because she was waiting on more information from the Division of Medical Assistance.

She's a lying tool of a furious, arrogant, isolated Secretary.

Secretary Odom isn't responding to anyone's emails. She's not interested in gathering correct data, as evidenced by her willingness to throw the entire mental health system into crisis without even doing a proper cost analysis before retroactively slashing rates for mental health services. She's not meeting with providers or recipients of mental health services. She's cowering in her bunker, hoping the whole mess will blow over.