DHS

Nov 6, 2013

State’s ‘Olmstead Plan’ looks to overhaul disability services

It’s been 14 years since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the matter of Olmstead v. L.C. In that case, the high court found that states cannot continue to house disabled citizens in isolated, state-run institutions if those people are capable of thriving in a more independent setting.

Sep 11, 2013

DHS two months late in naming new Medicaid actuary

In March, Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson announced that the state was firing the actuarial firm Milliman, which had long been responsible for setting the rates for the state’s $8-billion-per-year Medicaid program.

Mar 6, 2013

Magnuson: Act now on MSOP, or courts will

Since October, former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson has chaired a task force charged with making recommendations to overhaul the state’s policies for dangerous sex offenders.

Mar 14, 2012

Senate sinks HMO audit bill

Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman David Hann promised to hold a hearing on a bill requiring independent annual audits of the health plans that administer the state’s Medicaid program. On Monday he followed through on that promise.

Feb 24, 2012

Welfare bills get big GOP push

One month into a session that is not exactly threatening any legislative land-speed records on most policy fronts, Republican legislators have already introduced at least a dozen bills containing changes to eligibility rules for poor people seeking cash assistance.

Jan 25, 2012

State pushes forward with Medicaid waiver

During the 2011 legislative session, GOP legislative leaders repeatedly called for the state to seek a waiver on Medicaid rules from the federal government. Both the Senate and House initially booked significant cost savings contingent on receiving such a waiver.