Your Daily Guide

The Fraud Dragnet is Costing Minnesotans with Disabilities

As the state and federal government slash disability services in the name of cracking down on fraud, Minnesotans with disabilities have become ‘collateral damage’. Over the last nine months, the federal government has withheld $550 million in Medicaid funding from Minnesota. The state cut $150 million from the Department of Human Services this spring, with another equally large cut pending. For its part, DHS eliminated funding for over 60% of providers for its Medicaid programs deemed “high-risk” for fraud. But disability advocates say the rush to address fraud has jeopardized legitimate care that people need. [The Guardian / Star Tribune / The Minnesota Reformer]

• ‘Exhaustion, confusion’: DHS has faced the herculean effort of verifying hundreds of service providers under federal pressure, while legitimate providers scramble to keep their funding. DHS reviewed 5,583 service providers, which led to the state disenrolling 3,400. But advocates and service providers say “thousands” were operating legally. Kristen Ellingson, a disability advocate living with Lyme disease, tells Minnesota Women Press: “[The system] creates exhaustion, confusion, and barriers to care for people who are already living with significant disabilities and health challenges.” [Minnesota Women’s Press]
• Waiver debate: Meanwhile, DHS is also seeking to streamline its federally-funded waiver program, which allows Minnesotans with disabilities to afford personalized care in their own home or community. But critics of the Waiver Reimagine program say the restructuring would incentivize more people being put in group homes. Disability advocates tell the Star Tribune they fear losing more money as the state reevaluates how it funds and vets disability services. [Star Tribune]

All-star: This summer, a senior from DeLaSalle High School traveled to Jordan to captain the Palestinian National Basketball team for under-18 players. Strib Varsity has a great video interview with Omar Ali, who grew up on the West Bank and shows a lot of discipline. A teen that gets up at 5:30 a.m. in the summer puts me to shame. [Strib Varsity]

Quick fix: A city law that would allow St. Paul tenants to make their own repairs (costing up to $500, or half their rent) and get reimbursed for it seemed to be headed to the ballot box. However, the St. Paul City Council voted last week to block the ‘Right to Repair’ law from voters’ November ballot. Council members who were previously vocal supporters of the ordinance say the language conflicts with state law. Duluth passed an ordinance with the same language last year. [Pioneer Press]

Primary voters: We’re bringing you interviews with leading candidates for statewide and local offices. On today’s episode, Sean talked to Rep. Angie Craig, who’s running for U.S. Senate, and Cedrick Frazier, candidate for Hennepin County Attorney. We interviewed Frazier’s opponent Hao Nguyen last week. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / City Cast Twin Cities]

The prize: A satirical, anti-war sculpture sat on the state Capitol lawn for three days last week. The giant trophy sculpture, called the “Iran War Participation Trophy,” was addressed to President Trump by an anonymous artist group called The Secret Handshake. “While some concern themselves with military strategy, diplomacy, or measurable outcomes, President Trump demonstrated the courage to participate regardless of the final score,” the artists wrote. Passersby were also encouraged to personalize their own trophies for the president. [Star Tribune]

‘Scare tactic’: Federal officials are threatening to prosecute Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt and a Chicago sheriff over access to inmates for immigration detainment. They say Witt’s refusal to directly transfer inmates to ICE custody amounts to witness tampering, which legal experts say is an impossible case. For her part, Witt told the New York Times the federal government knows where she is. “Come and get me,” she said. [New York Times]

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