THE head of the Women for Babauta-Benavente team who prepared the administration’s transition report for the Department of Public Health was removed from the department after her position was eliminated, it was learned.
Carmen Cabrera, a Division of Public Health accountant, will be transferred to the Department of Finance.
Cabrera refused to comment when reached by Variety while Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider did not return this reporter’s call.
Cabrera’s transition report recommended the need to consolidate similar services.
In his letter to Cabrera, Hofschneider said: “I am notifying you that I am supporting the need to consolidate the Division of Public Health’s local funds accounting service with the hospital accounting departments. Your position has thus been eliminated.”
Prior to Cabrera’s transfer, Hofschneider indicated during a senior managers meeting that he would assess the present organizational structure of the department in order to “reduce duplication, waste and inefficiencies.”
Hofschneider said this would enable him to establish processes that would be patient/customer centered, more efficient, less wasteful and eliminate unnecessary duplication of services.
“It is an unfortunate situation, but we must proceed with this type of continued assessment and reorganization of our services to meet the present challenges of budget cuts and doing more with fewer funds,” Hofschneider said.
Cabrera’s transfer to the Department of Finance allows her to retain her job title and salary level.
According to Hofschneider’s letter, Secretary of Finance Frankie Villanueva is aware of her transfer and is “eagerly” awaiting her arrival.
But Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, lashed at Hofschneider for “irrationally” removing Cabrera from CHC.
“He is a doctor. But I think he is sick and suffers from a cerebral problem. This is pure vendetta. It’s not good that the governor is appointing Cabinet members who in turn would ax Babauta’s staunch supporters,” he said.
He added: “Maybe Dr. Hofschneider forgot that Ms. Cabrera is a staunch supporter of the governor and that made Babauta look very bad.”
