An Open Letter to Maine Governor John Baldacci about the Medicaid Computer Failure

Governor Baldacci, take a lesson from President Bush and the Walter Reed debacle and do something about the millions of dollars wasted on the Medicaid computer system in Maine.

I wrote previously about the computer fiasco Maine is having with the new system it purchased and installed here.  CNSI, a Maryland contractor, was in charge of the new system — one that failed to work on its very first day of operation.  It still doesn’t work right and Maine is out millions of dollars for a system that is so worthless that the state is now trying to scrap it.

You, Governor Baldacci, have known about the problems with the computer system for years.  In April of 2005, you talked publically about how state officials were trying to fix the system.  But since this story broke in the Portland Press Herald last month, I haven’t seen any mention of you resolving the problem.

President Bush has moved decisively to stem the mistakes at Walter Reed.  Heads have rolled, investigations have begun, hearings have been held, changes have been made.  In short, the President has shown the courage to take command and do what needs to be done to rectify the mistakes.

What have you done about the millions wasted on this computer system, Governor Baldacci?

CNSI refuses to take responsibility, Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey is pointing the finger elsewhere and now trying to downplay how much money has been wasted on the system (somewhere in the area of $53 million), other state officials are running for cover, and your own representatives from the Attorney General’s office are too worried about how CNSI might be offended if a lawsuit were filed. 

This is unacceptable.

Governor Baldacci, take command.  Show the citizens of Maine that you were elected to lead, not delegate.  Do what is right and get to the bottom of this problem.  I am outraged at this huge governmental waste and I expect you to personally get involved to stem this scandalous neglect of Maine taxpayer money.