Resident urges county scrutiny of HMS after leadership departures, commissioners seek more information

A resident urged the Grant County Board of Commissioners on May 6 to investigate service and financial problems at HMS, citing recent resignations of clinical leaders and program shortfalls that the speaker said put county residents at risk.

The commenter said HMS is a federally qualified health clinic organized as a 501(c)(3) and “primarily funded by public dollars,” and asked commissioners to press the clinic’s board to explain staffing turnover, a reported $340,000 loss on senior services last year and the status of ‘‘14 day care at Tu Casa’’ and mobile crisis services.

“The most important question that must be asked, is HMS organizationally capable of delivering vital services?” the speaker asked. “And if not, why not?”

Why it matters: Commissioners and county staff have said HMS’s services — from case management and home-delivered meals to primary care and behavioral health — are critical to rural residents who rely on publicly funded providers. Commissioners said they want clear information because the county lacks the resources to replace large programs quickly if HMS can’t sustain them.

County Manager Charlene Webb told commissioners after public comment that she and staff are pursuing state-level help. “Alex Brown and myself are meeting with Neil Segata. He’s the director of non‑natal AAA, this afternoon to talk about what they’ve discovered as possible solutions to make sure that there is no disruption of services for our seniors,” Webb said. She said the state is working with county staff to find options that avoid interruption of senior services.

Commissioner Stevens, referencing the recent departures, said the issue has reached a critical point. “Two primary leaders in the organization have left now, so it’s becoming critical that we do something,” she said, urging a public discussion of what the county’s role could be in troubleshooting the clinic’s problems.

Commissioners and staff outlined information they want before taking further steps: details on HMS staffing levels and payroll, why turnover has driven departures of clinical officers, whether service lines (especially senior services and mobile crisis) have been permanently reduced, and what funding gaps — if any — produced the reported $340,000 loss on senior services.

Discussion versus action: The meeting’s exchanges were discussion and information‑gathering; no directive or formal action was taken at the May 6 work session. Webb said she would report back after the state meeting.

What remains unclear: The speaker requested several specific answers (for example, why both the chief medical officer and the chief mental health officer resigned, and why mobile crisis services were not implemented) that were not answered in the meeting record. The article does not assert outcomes or causes that were not stated on the record.

Next steps: Webb said she will report the results of her meeting with the state director and that commissioners will consider any recommended follow up. Commissioners indicated they may also publicly discuss possible county responses and oversight options if the clinic’s problems threaten services to vulnerable residents.