Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City, ranking member of the Health and Human Services Budget Committee:

“I wish retiring Director Palmer well. He’s done his best under difficult circumstances.

“However, the real problems of a disastrous budget, less staff, higher caseloads, and lack of oversight need to be addressed.  The rollout, implementation, and proven problems with Medicaid privatization can no longer be overlooked.  We need an open, honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of DHS and what it needs to succeed, including funding and staffing levels.”

 

Senator Liz Mathis of Robins, ranking member of the Senate Human Services Committee:

“With Director Palmer’s retirement comes the opportunity to address some of the problematic issues around casework and managed care. I hope Governor Reynolds will consider someone who is willing to work with both sides of the aisle to accomplish more accessibility to critical services like mental health.

“I have worked with Director Palmer in a number of ways, from strategic planning on children’s mental health to Medicaid and managed care.  He had a difficult job but Director Palmer was professional and accessible to me as a legislator. I wish him well.”

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