In Michigan, taxpayers are footing the bill for over 4,000 employees who earn six-figure salaries at the state health department. Meanwhile, the department has faced criticism for mismanagement, resulting in substantial fraud and incorrect benefit payments.
From fiscal year 2020 to 2024, the number of high earners in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shot up from 513 to 2,944. That’s a whopping 474% increase! In comparison, the entire state’s high-earning positions grew by 168% during the same period.
High earners are defined as those who make at least $80,000 annually. While many state workers are seeing salary boosts, the mismanagement in MDHHS remains concerning. In fact, the number of employees making between $100,000 and $109,000 rose by 2,313 over four years. The department’s share of high earners jumped from 7.4% to 15.8% of the total workforce within that timeframe.
According to the Budget Analysis and Workforce Strategy office, this rapid growth in high-paying roles is alarming. Experts argue it reflects misplaced priorities within an agency meant to support public welfare. With average costs of around $173,000 for each high earner, taxpayers could pay between $795 million and $2 billion annually due to these raises and promotions.
While salaries climb, fraud in state welfare programs doubled from 2023 to 2024. In one instance, MDHHS did not address a $14 million fraud issue in the SNAP benefits program promptly. In response to the growing concerns, Rep. Jason Woolford sponsored new legislation aimed at reducing fraud, which is set to be implemented in 2026. These changes include upgrading benefit cards to make them more secure.
This year, Michiganders will lose $415 million due to inaccuracies in benefit distribution. One case highlighted by an investigation revealed that an employee approved and denied benefits without proper interviews, yet it took years for that person to be dismissed.
The MDHHS, with over 14,000 employees, is Michigan’s largest department. Woolford noted that it seems to prioritize bureaucratic growth over efficient service. The department’s budget exceeds $27 billion, covering areas that range from child welfare to environmental health. Critics argue that restructuring it into smaller units might enhance accountability and redirect resources effectively.
Despite these challenges, the state health department hasn’t commented on the situation. As the agency balances salary increases with persistent operational flaws, the question remains: Are they prioritizing needs effectively for the people of Michigan?
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Michigan, state health department, fraud, SNAP, welfare fraud,
