You know you know someone like this! No matter how horrible the circumstance, they just say positive things.  You know, like a Disney character…oblvious to reality. Think about Snow White…her step-mother wants to kill her, she is run into the deep forest by a huntsman who was supposed to kill her, she is told to NEVER return home, she finds 7, extremely, short men with whom she has to live (smelly) and become their maid (dirty), yet she whistles while she works!

So to was Ricky Diaz, the communications director for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  In the face of NCTracks’ catastrophic roll out, Diaz says, ”While we’re pleased with the success of the new system…”

And

“Although NC Tracks has processed more claims than it has denied…”

And

NC Tracks has now processed more than 15 million claims that paid health care providers more than $1.1 billion, according to Diaz.

And

Diaz said he does not feel as though the state rushed into this transition. “We processed more than 15 million claims and paid health care providers more than $750 million during July,” he emphasized.

And (my personal favorite, in a DHHS News Release after the go-live date)

“NCTracks is on track.”

“Whistle while you work…”  Well this cheery, optimistic communications director resigned.  His resignation came on the heels of providing reporters false information about the Medicaid debacle.  See my blog: ”DHHS Blunder Could Cost Millions! ”Oops I Did It Again.”"

Ricky Diaz announced his resignation today (Wednesday, January 8, 2014) on Twitter, saying he is proud to be joining a small public affairs and media relations firm in Washington, D.C.

“Proud to be joining…” That’s our Ricky…upbeat and positive…”Whistle while you work…”

But now who will provide us with the positive soundbites for the media?