EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 44

WHEREAS, the streamlining and consolidation of government functions has been a priority of my administration, and is of great importance to the economic well-being of the State of Alabama, to its citizens and to ensuring appropriate and responsible use of taxpayer funds;

WHEREAS, a number of agencies of state government, including the Alabama Medicaid Agency, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Department of Human Resources, Alabama Department of Mental Health, and Alabama Department of Senior Services each perform functions related to eligibility and enrollment for both federal and state public benefits by Alabama citizens;

WHEREAS, the creation and provision for a joint eligibility and enrollment system to be used by Alabama citizens to apply for benefits offered by these state agencies would operate to streamline and consolidate the associated government functions, resulting in improved access and services for Alabama citizens for these public benefits;

WHEREAS, a joint eligibility and enrollment system used by state employees at these agencies to process benefit applications, determine eligibility and enroll approved applicants would  also operate to increase efficiencies in government by reducing duplication of staff effort, decreasing staff  needs, streamlining the management of the various public benefit programs and associated data collection, and thus, producing associated cost savings and resulting in responsible use of taxpayer dollars for program administration;

WHEREAS, a joint eligibility and enrollment system is well suited for support by technology, including automation of processes, and will allow for sharing of IT resources that will enable state agencies to leverage the shared IT resources to improve efficiencies in providing public benefits, as well as allow for improved data sharing among the agencies and associated fraud prevention and detection capabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons related thereto, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby establish a joint eligibility and enrollment system among the Alabama Medicaid Agency, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Department of Human Resources, Alabama Department of Mental Health, and Alabama Department of Senior Services, for the purpose of coordinating and providing for joint application, eligibility determination and enrollment by Alabama citizens in federal and state public benefits programs.

BE IT ORDERED, that a Joint Eligibility and Enrollment Committee shall be formed to study, design, plan, implement and manage a system for joint application, eligibility determination and enrollment for public benefits, including necessary technology and infrastructure, and said Committee shall be comprised of the following:

Medicaid Commissioner, Alabama Medicaid Agency
State Public Health Officer, Alabama Department of Public Health
Commissioner, Alabama Department of Human Resources
Commissioner, Alabama Department of Mental Health
Commissioner, Alabama Department of Senior Services
Secretary, Alabama Office of Information Technology

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED,  that this Joint Eligibility and Enrollment Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of Information Technology.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, the necessary authority to study, design, plan, implement and manage infrastructure and automation for a system for joint application, eligibility determination and enrollment for public benefits is hereby delegated to the Joint Eligibility and Enrollment Committee, to include the power to hire necessary employees and make necessary expenditures, subject to the review and approval of the State Finance Director to the extent such funds are not funds already allocated within the respective budgets of the state agencies included in this executive order and subject to any applicable provisions of the Alabama State Merit System.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Alabama Medicaid Agency, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Department of Human Resources, Alabama Department of Mental Health, and Alabama Senior Services Agency shall jointly participate in the development, design, planning, implementation, management and continued operation of a joint eligibility and enrollment system for public benefits among these agencies.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon signing and shall remain in force until such time as it is modified or rescinded by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this the 30th day of June, 2014.

Robert Bentley
Governor

Attested
Jim Bennett
Secretary of State