Minnesota’s Medicaid rates for 2012 and 2013 have yet to be approved by the federal government. At issue is whether the state’s methodology for calculating those rates is credible.

Solicitor General Alan Gilbert argued that the plaintiffs in the case do not have standing to bring their claim.

[mnsure] Gov. Mark Dayton introduces the members of the MNsure board Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed the seven-member board that will oversee a state-run health insurance marketplace where 1.3 million people are expected to access insurance by 2016. Dayton picked the appointees from a pool of 112 applicants.

When Rep. Tina Liebling’s bill proposing substantive changes to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) came up for a committee hearing last month, she pleaded with legislators not to turn it into a political mallet.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services failed to comply with state and federal requirements to verify Social Security numbers and income eligibility for MinnesotaCare participants, according to a new report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The problems with verification were first identified by auditors a decade ago, but DHS has failed to resolve with the issue.

Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation Wednesday morning establishing an online marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase insurance. It's anticipated that nearly 1.3 million people will obtain insurance through the online market place once its fully established, including 300,000 individuals who currently lack coverage.

A preliminary audit of the state’s Medicaid rates released on March 1 determined that they were “actuarially sound.” That’s the finding that Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson repeatedly stressed during a phone call with reporters the day the report was released.

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.

In November, the Minnesota Department of Human Services hired the Segal Company to audit the state's Medicaid rates from 2003 to 2011. The Atlanta-based company was awarded a $150,000 contract to scrutinize Minnesota's rate-setting methodology.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed five of Gov. Mark Dayton’s cabinet members. Confirmations for Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle and Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius sparked debate before passing.