The bureaucrats in Buncombe County are squealing. The new system for administering social services; namely, food stamps and Medicaid, has turned into a monster with more paperwork and more delays than anticipated. The added complexity is compounded by the fact that one in five residents in Buncombe County is served by the two programs.
The problem is not new. Assistant County Manager Mandy Stone said last year it would take a long time to work out the bugs with NC FAST. Further compounding assistance is ObamaCare’s requirement that the county pay benefits to temps, who must submit to nine to twelve months of certification training before they’re up to speed.
The county suggests adding eighteen positions. But, if Medicaid expands, as they would like, the county could hire another thirty employees. Failure to “staff up” to play stupid bureaucratic games could result in penalties imposed by the federal government.
The good thing, of course, is that the county leverages $9.30 for every $1 spent on social services. That means, if we all go on welfare, we’ll be drowning in ingots. If you don’t believe me, check out the government-style analysis of pro’s and con’s. As is done in Asheville, county leadership lists the pros of doing the program and the cons of not doing it. If you are in government, I will give you five points if you can tell me what is missing.
