State Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) today called out serious failures within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) during a House Oversight Committee hearing, where DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel was compelled to testify under subpoena.

The hearing, prompted by troubling reports of mismanagement and neglect, focused on several underperforming DHHS programs. Lawmakers raised serious concerns about the department’s stewardship of its $37.5 billion budget and its failure to deliver critical services to Michigan residents.

“After listening to Director Hertel’s explanations, I can tell you that it’s all nonsense,” said Woolford. “DHHS is entrusted with billions of taxpayer dollars, yet somehow can’t provide the essential services our residents rely on. That is absurd. This department must be held accountable for this unacceptable performance.”

Rep. Woolford specifically pressed Hertel on Michigan’s soaring error rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the department’s failure to properly verify applicants for Bridge Cards, which enables widespread fraud. Based on the current error rate, this will cost taxpayers at least $300 million in federal penalties, in addition to the cost of stolen benefits.

“The fact that DHHS is aware of Michigan’s high SNAP error rate and is doing little to fix it is outrageous,” said Woolford. “Fraudsters are abusing Bridge Cards because DHHS doesn’t have a system in place to properly verify applicants’ identities. That means individuals are receiving benefits they aren’t entitled to, and Michigan taxpayers are footing the bill. Enough is enough.

“Michigan families deserve better, and they deserve results, not excuses. Programs designed to protect children must actually protect them. The SNAP error rate must be reduced, fraud must be stopped, and every taxpayer dollar must be accounted for. It’s time to repair these broken systems and restore real accountability at DHHS.”