LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The new CEO of Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services is promising to hold the department accountable to state lawmakers and the public.
Courtney Phillips said Thursday that she plans to dig into the specific causes of problems with services such as ACCESSNebraska, the system that Nebraskans use to apply for and renew their public benefits. Phillips told a legislative committee that a new performance-tracking system will help the department make improvements.
Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed Phillips to the job in February, but she has to be confirmed by lawmakers. She previously worked as deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
Phillips says she also wants to recruit more department employees from Nebraska high schools, colleges and universities, and reduce turnover.
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