An Exploration of the Benefits and Challenges of State Health and Human Services Reorganization in Texas

Purpose: The Applied Research Project “An Exploration of the Benefits and Challenges of State Health and Human Services Reorganization in Texas” by Chris Nicholson was written to explore the benefits and challenges associated with the consolidation and reorganization of health and human services agencies in Texas brought about by the passage of House Bill 2292 in 2003. Methodology: Nicholson utilizes a sample of Texas state leaders, composed of current and former state legislators, health and human services agency officials, personnel in state agencies that provide analysis, and officials with policy groups as his unit of analysis and population, and employs two distinct working hypotheses: The first deals with the benefits of reorganization, while the second touches on the challenges created by reorganization. Each working hypothesis was further broken down into three sub-hypotheses. Utilizing focused interviews from the sample, Nicholson gathered data and used it to test his hypotheses. Results: In terms of results, the data lent support to both working hypotheses and each of the sub hypotheses tied to them. In addition, the data pointed to a number of factors impacting the working hypotheses not accounted for in the sub-hypotheses. Conclusion: Support was found through the interviews performed and information gathered for the idea that cost savings, increased efficiency, and changes in client services were perceived by a number of respondents as being benefits of reorganization. In addition, organizational issues, outsourcing, and changes in agency priorities were identified as challenges for reorganization, as predicted by the sub-hypotheses.

Name thesis:degree_name

Masters in Public Administration

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Public Administration

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Nicholson, Chris

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Autres, Micky

• health services
• Texas
• benefits and challenges

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/24126

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/24126