Terminated, Still Paid

The Associated Press is reporting that Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission has been continuing to pay 1,229 employees… who had been fired. This comes to about $738,000 in taxpayer money going to former employees. The agency says it is working to recover the money.

Remember, HHS programs and services (mostly Medicaid) represents almost a third of the state’s $152 billion budget. How many other boo-boos are they making with all those dollars?

If the bureaucracy keeps paying employees who’ve been fired, how much confidence should we have that people stop receiving benefits when their eligibility expires? Not much confidence at all.

Michael Quinn Sullivan

Michael Quinn Sullivan is the publisher of Texas Scorecard. He is a native Texan, a graduate of Texas A&M, and an Eagle Scout. Previously, he has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine contributor, Capitol Hill staffer, and think tank vice president. Michael and his wife have three adult children, a son-in-law, and a dog. Michael is the author of three books, including "Reflections on Life and Liberty."