MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - A preliminary audit by Missouri's Health Department concludes a $1.6 million deficit has been racked in spending for AIDS support programs for approximately 1,500 AIDS patients in the state.
The department had $2.2 million available to finance support services from April 1, 1995 until March 31, 1996. The money has been used to help AIDS patients who do not qualify for other programs pay for medicine, housing, food and other costs. It was supposed to last a year, but was gone in 5 months.
Health Department Director Colleen Kivlahan halted spending on September 5. But by then, the state had already received $1.03 million worth of extra claims for services to AIDS patients. The audit estimates the state will be accountable for more than .6 million in additional claims from service providers.
It remains to be seen who will pay for the over expenditures. Nanci Gonder, spokesman for the Health Department, said they are exploring ways to pay for the claims. She is hopeful that existing funds can be used.
But the Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman, Harry Wiggins, said he is not so sure. He has examined the contracts governing the administration of the program.
Wiggins, a lawyer from Kansas City, characterized the contracts as "very difficult for me to decipher." He sent a letter to Attorney General Jay Nixon, asking for his immediate emergency help.
"We'll have to determine the extent of our liability, and then sit down with the governor and the attorney general to figure out how to pay for this," Wiggins said.
The Health department has already taken some action. The Deputy Director has been reprimanded. Three other employees have been demoted.