A bipartisan panel of state lawmakers put Don Herrington, Arizona Department of Health Services interim director, in the hot seat last week as they grilled him about a recent report that reveals the department failed to investigate multiple complaints of abuse and neglect in Arizona nursing homes.

The auditor general report found that the Department of Health Services often reclassified complaints to “artificially extend” their response timeline and often closed them without ever completing an investigation.

In April 2019, the auditor general submitted recommendations to improve the state’s ability to respond to complaints about long-term care facilities. The latest audit finds none of these recommendations have been implemented.

For insight on this, The Show spoke with former state health director Will Humble, who now serves as executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.

Bret Jaspers/KJZZ

Will Humble

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