A12-1742 C.L. v. Dep’t of Human Servs. (Hennepin County)

Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson offered a robust defense of the state's administration of its Medicaid program in a response Thursday to pointed inquiries from Congress. Jesson took umbrage at an assertion that the state has "claimed upwards of $500 million in improper federal Medicaid reimbursement over the past decade."

State Medicaid Director David Godfrey is stepping down from his post effective September 14. Godfrey has accepted a position as deputy director of health for Hennepin County.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has delayed implementation of cuts to the state's Emergency Medical Assistance program by a week. The postponement was enacted owing to a glut of appeals from individuals whose benefits were set to be eliminated.

Department of Human Services claims it saved $175 million through competitive bidding for state-funded insurance programs.

For nearly six years, union officials have been working to build support for representing the state’s in-home day care providers. Now that campaign will come down to a one-month effort to convince roughly 4,300 small business owners that union representation is in their best interest.

A10-2099 In re Rule 36 Ltd. P’ship of Duluth (Dep’t of Human Servs.)

Rep. Bob Barrett has introduced legislation that would merge the state Health and Human Services agencies. Under the freshman Republican's proposal the consolidation would be completed no later than June 1, 2012.

The roughly $3 billion in public dollars that's funneled to the state's health-maintenance organizations is receiving increased scrutiny this legislative session. That's in large part because of the state's unprecedented $6.2 billion budget.

The Minnesota Sex Offender Program is running out of space -- again. The civil commitment program for sexual predators is seeking $7 million to renovate a facility in St. Peter and add 55 additional beds, according to a new report released by the Department of Human Services.