[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6637594,"mediaKeyId","2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1","parentId",2580366,"title","DHS says coding error will leave state to absorb roughly $113M in federal SUD payments for seven tribal providers","audioSeconds",2029,"startMs",731000,"endMs",2760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1&start=731&end=2760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1/thumbnail_731000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637594/Minnesota/DHS-says-coding-error-will-leave-state-to-absorb-roughly-113M-in-federal-SUD-payments-for-seven-tribal-providers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637594-249dcf1176341ecf6170dfb2b03cd69e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582842&Signature=awPHd4TWx3MPpFa5nyUZhrJhz3wk-kczazD1nL5x-YuSZPQeD6l9WxUEQtad4ZApFBixN3Jqy1LhcfvqelYCr26VvjHEDBib7V3lXt-n2UnKP2n9YQ3N3ra54-CJrtgOvcb5zisYtY8h~G3FPlBqQx66LUp7T3JQ3~xSWIhw7dZqb~r~BPJvQHvym7xJF0tiRPe8vbn00sXe1zmVLHG9DYswKo07TZ4cBtfN0rQVtf5eHNpq~a~2UTtax8yAvg0UjfE6qoEzW6OuhTrWdhvJfg2qJRZ4GiHGKi8Zv6rStvGTktieTS4i-kHSMAGTj9b0m9Tp1carDE0y3G8t1e9W9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-12T22:56:49.55Z","article","At a March 12 meeting of the Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee, Miss Bailey, budget director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, told senators that a coding error in DHS’s billing system resulted in federal funds being used to pay for services provided by seven tribal residential substance-use-disorder (SUD) providers dating back to 2015.

“The providers provided them as intended. It wasn't, payment error to the provider or any fraudulent, activity. It was really on the back end,” Miss Bailey said, explaining the error concerned how services were coded for federal matching rather than whether services were delivered.

DHS officials told the committee the immediate impact recorded in the agency forecast is roughly $113,000,000 in one-time back payments that the state would need to absorb because the services should have been booked to state funds. Bailey said the department now assumes tribal nations will opt into a waiver that would permit federal matching moving forward; the forecast includes a smaller state cost in the next biennium under that assumption.

The committee pressed DHS for detail on why the issue was not discovered earlier and whether it could have been avoided. Miss Bailey said the department acknowledged the error and that, had the department discovered it sooner, it could have pursued waiver enrollment more actively with the tribal providers after the legislature authorized matching under a waiver. She noted tribal nations were not statutorily required to join the waiver because of tribal sovereignty.

Bailey also described other drivers behind the February budget forecast presented to the committee. Key items she listed were increased spending in disability waivers, higher acuity and fee-for-service payments in Medical Assistance basic care, higher nursing-home payments and paid days, and increased costs tied to weight‑loss drugs. On the latter, she said the state added coverage in 2022 and more GLP-1 and similar drugs have since come to market; DHS is seeing increased claims and updated managed‑care contract costs related to those drugs.

On the disability waivers, Bailey said updated projections show higher inflationary adjustments in 2026 and 2028 and increased recipient growth concentrated in children and youth, raising the disability‑waiver forecast by tens of millions across the biennia. She also described a slower-than-expected transition from PCA to the CFSS option, which delays enhanced federal match for some services.

Committee members asked whether the legislature should require tribal providers to join a waiver by statute; Miss Bailey urged the committee to consult tribal nations directly because they are sovereign governments. Senators asked DHS to explore whether other providers might have similar waiver‑eligibility questions and to report back to the committee.

The committee did not take a vote on legislation tied to the forecast discussion, but members asked DHS for follow‑up on the tribal waiver status, the status of workforce incentive payments for LPNs and other direct‑care incentives, and more detailed forecasts. Miss Bailey said the department would follow up on specific items and email updates to the committee.

The exchange reflected both the immediate fiscal effect of the coding error and broader budget pressures DHS is tracking, including disability waiver inflation, higher managed‑care claims, nursing‑home payment changes, and new prescription‑drug costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Human Services - 03/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","At a March 12 Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee hearing, Department of Human Services budget staff told senators a coding error led to about $113 million in federal payments for services at seven tribal residential substance‑use‑disorder providers that should have been borne by the state.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637575,"Senate to extend timeline for supported‑decision‑making grants after counties report early success",608,6198000,6806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1&start=6198&end=6806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1/thumbnail_6198000.jpg","/articles/6637575/Minnesota/Senate-to-extend-timeline-for-supporteddecisionmaking-grants-after-counties-report-early-success","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637575-1d0047d02e2a41468eadbe05f6e85141/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582842&Signature=I5XUypCjyzKkwerDLwWiNzVnIrKQcexywJYKL2wio5guJCvlzlcIIYk7O8o5qkeh0jOSooA5YCDAU4pU~5y9gG-pv6adDbYyCVbPTHJE82HvCFyFVWheXl5Pk1-iyPXBPXWAF3m-v7jpUq6l8KOoIXyXYmww6MJtzFXf0srypo0qVPcOp--Ln4xlDgRo4bBUsc4uYjeCvivv5Cod3CFHU1GYZjsWgm4474fuBIPfFDLyGsZ0pl0TccEGVhhX22PfRGBEMupqFueMvbcCIZJyOEIjhdv0RR67Aefdy2egQR7qy44vt2uXfU6NNkq-2H-ayYuxjptuGkT--5hjp6OthQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2310, a bill to extend the availability of one‑time grants awarded in 2023 for supported decision‑making (SDM) programs, was presented to the Senate Human Services Committee on March 12 and laid over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill.

Supported decision‑making is intended as an alternative to full guardianship and helps people who might otherwise face court‑ordered guardianship retain legal rights while receiving decision supports. Senator Jerry Rasmussen described the original 2023 appropriation of $4,550,000 and said a delay in the RFP and grant award process prompted the request for additional time to spend the funds.

Megan Thomas, adult services manager for Rice County Community Services, described Rice County’s use of grant dollars to provide SDM education, training and direct social‑work supports. In under six months, Rice County reported 35 referrals, three diversions from unnecessary guardianship and one suspension of an existing guardianship to allow SDM to succeed. Thomas said SDM has saved the county legal and administrative costs associated with guardianship.

Nate Danielson of Lutheran Social Services described LSS’s SDM work statewide, including restoring rights for individuals under guardianship and preventing guardianship through hospital‑based interventions. Danielson said LSS reviewed 70 cases and met with 50 individuals as part of the grant work and achieved seven full restorations to date.

Senator Rasmussen said the bill asks DHS to extend the time horizon for spending the original appropriation so grant recipients can complete the planned work; committee members expressed support and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus appropriation process.","Senate File 2310 would extend the time during which 2023 one‑time grant dollars for supported decision‑making (SDM) programs can be spent; Rice County and Lutheran Social Services described early successes in diverting or restoring guardianship and urged extension so the funded programs can continue.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637579,"Senate committee hears pleas to boost senior nutrition and support services; bill laid over for omnibus inclusion",0,6743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1&start=6743&end=6743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1/thumbnail_6743000.jpg","/articles/6637579/Minnesota/Senate-committee-hears-pleas-to-boost-senior-nutrition-and-support-services-bill-laid-over-for-omnibus-inclusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637579-dd2cf003c08f878d1f9ffbe88b4ee756/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582842&Signature=Anmc~DWUPRzQUnpKA03CsqGqWbfQE0HtQvq6vG0DdDlMNU2cpiHzG3h7SiSJEHf3TZyBY3-KzgZBF0kpP5gVxwngDlWHwf91tDwc1G9g4sbqnVejF1BS5bM9Fpqs7j0sW2BxybhRZdfUsmXIAkQo20LE4jIXW0fQAbNWD11loySMgivuMLme7bx~RZ9F3wRHAVHyrEr0jTlviZki4psoyJAJV5PrYMSCW5KdOP65kpE2Vam4GD1ALoR8TvLs2n79deB9nw9BBtbLYpFSy2OHCobxUVEL5X6fg~80tbBuKFtZb-MhGaYbAa2Z1pRZWBjGFiVgvZz1Ha9Ehbnnr45gQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2383, a bill to increase state funding for senior nutrition and related support services, drew testimony March 12 from senior‑service providers and advocates urging additional funding to meet rising demand.

Senator May Quaid, sponsor, moved and the committee adopted an A1 author’s amendment. The bill, as amended, would appropriate $5.5 million in each year of the biennium for senior nutrition programs and $2 million in each year for supportive services such as assisted transportation, homemaker services and outdoor chores, according to the sponsor’s description to the committee.

Don Simonson, president and CEO of Trellis and co‑chair of the Senior Meals and Services Coalition, told the committee Minnesota’s older population has grown and services are strained. He said providers have reduced the number of meals and added waiting lists; in the metro and elsewhere providers reported reducing about 487,000 meals in 2025 and closing dining sites in some regions.

Leah Abare Wells, CEO of Open Arms of Minnesota, which provides medically tailored meals, described medically tailored meals for clients with heart disease, cancer and kidney failure and said Open Arms served 1,623 seniors and provided 316,000 meals to clients over 60 in 2024 using state and federal funds. She said Open Arms currently has a waiting list and turns away clients each month.

Jeff Wyant, senior services director for SEMCAC, described services in rural Southeast Minnesota and said reductions in senior nutrition would disproportionately affect small, hard‑to‑reach communities that rely on routes and dining sites.

Committee members did not approve funding at the hearing; the chair laid SF2383 over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill so fiscal details can be weighed in the budgeting process.","Senate File 2383, carrying increased appropriations for senior nutrition and supportive services, received testimony from providers and advocacy groups about rising demand and service cuts; committee adopted an author's amendment and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637584,"Senate lays over $1M‑plus recovery community appropriation after testimony from Generation Hope",714,4776000,5490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1&start=4776&end=5490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1/thumbnail_4776000.jpg","/articles/6637584/Minnesota/Senate-lays-over-1Mplus-recovery-community-appropriation-after-testimony-from-Generation-Hope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637584-79beaf72be0fa60295b3428603370031/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582842&Signature=V-I3MEiJn7G07TnoLJt3b576KqP9uAEH~NCWuhWpT~n94IhmrdizSukFXMZdbP3mzEKOhlXQ4Kevg~pscsaT4AVVXStj4u5IuzC~GXsHYRLXju56JJdq9bOtx69WCfywSu9Eps2f1X33JgP9L5ocxVfB2XmOEHZZa0A51oL3kS06FAstMIdbFj7YHwC10F54Aoh3faJdOJUZwgAvnOcAZZDG20XRhuPUbFrQ0OM1jcicF4JLXJoxexnh6zrxotzFHCU~TCsmzrvixAW4d~1shvJXsRZI7Hfo7W2m9uLvCdtS0034sOzLxJZd4Cy0bO~PVJqzTT842dGFppEynbrevw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2347, an appropriation to support peer recovery outreach and a recovery community organization, was presented March 12 to the Senate Human Services Committee and laid over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill.

Abdermal (Abdi) Sawasamy, co‑founder and executive director of Generation Hope, described the organization’s work providing culturally specific peer recovery services in the Twin Cities and in regional Somali/Multi‑cultural communities. Sawasamy said Generation Hope began in 2019 as a grassroots effort after a spike in overdose deaths in his community and that the group now provides peer recovery coaches, outreach and culturally tailored supports.

Several people with lived experience testified about the organization’s role in connecting people to treatment and helping them remain in recovery. “They were the people that I would've called when I didn't know where to get support,” said Shamar Ki Abdi, who described becoming a certified peer recovery specialist and now employed by Generation Hope.

Senator Hoffman told the committee the bill is a simple appropriation to support a recovery community organization. The committee did not take a fiscal vote on the floor; the chair laid SF2347 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and requested fiscal review as part of the broader budget process.

The witnesses asked legislators to fund outreach and peer‑to‑peer recovery supports outside mainstream service channels and to increase training capacity for peer recovery specialists so organizations can reach more people across the state.","An appropriation request for culturally specific peer recovery services from Generation Hope was presented to the Senate Human Services Committee; the bill (SF2347) was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637589,"Senate committee advances bill requiring stakeholder oversight of DHS ‘waiver reimagined’ process after parents and advocates testify",2799,1989000,4788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1&start=1989&end=4788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580366-47b4faf53e68bd7a96012a248cfba9a1/thumbnail_1989000.jpg","/articles/6637589/Minnesota/Senate-committee-advances-bill-requiring-stakeholder-oversight-of-DHS-waiver-reimagined-process-after-parents-and-advocates-testify","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637589-6bd00e9c2a24830a5eab6cf934dafe22/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582842&Signature=GN2OsMuLNVc~7crCHoOEJa7k1lBLGVKvpwlLKHBJc9HRyWkDmj3rjIkALWNm3xVg3LgYFeHfdRAT0nxYGfB8Bz3mZzcBebRt5wvqAOgnVBOZp4kcmdTsJNFhf5Ar6z77Ix~1RD8ItbO5KZtI6R7qeMwpTF-4ZFIgmbMH1Cq6qdNOe4A5ApOmjs5-OYPv-d1MJrRHCTSVHSyLo71TArqlkZKf-gMTb254J9Q~YE-qUAGmqAxzdUG3p~XV2ZgAoZTVmL7UkF36SrEH-kQ3UUgSiVnVSsgOzxZ~6bEFswrpc4GeHoQ0wlOV-8uQes31udKO5jdinYmntRygdTjfAt8DGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2215, a bill to create a legislative task force and strengthen stakeholder oversight of the Department of Human Services’ waiver reimagined effort, moved forward from the Senate Human Services Committee on March 12 after extensive public testimony from parents, providers and advocates.

Senator Zachary Hoffman, author of the bill, told the committee the measure “strengthens the oversight [and] transparency in the waiver reimagine project, ensuring that those affected of the policy changes are actually have a seat at the table.” He said DHS would be prohibited from submitting the waiver plan to the federal government without the task force’s approval.

Multiple family members and advocates testified that DHS has not meaningfully collaborated with stakeholders and that the department’s proposed changes risk shifting people from home‑based services into more congregate or institutional settings. “If we proceed with waiver reimagine as proposed by DHS, Minnesota could lead a troubling new path to reinstitutionalize its citizens with disabilities,” said Tricia Bresbein, a member of the waiver reimagine advisory committee, who brought her son to the hearing.

Lisa Bala, a parent and waiver recipient, testified that proposed budget rules would base waiver budgets on where a person lives rather than on need and said the change could cut some home‑based budgets roughly in half. “If she does not get the budget she needs to stay in her own home, she will be forced to move into a community residential setting, a group home,” Bala said of her daughter.

Other witnesses — including Kathy Ware, Reverend Katrine Bachmeier, Debbie Harris, Marin Christiansen Hofer and Jean Bender — described instances where reduced budgets, inconsistent application of MNChoices assessments, or policy changes have threatened families’ ability to maintain home care. Witnesses called for budgets to be based on assessed need, for stronger protections to prevent institutional bias, and for the committee to authorize the task force the bill would create.

Senator Hoffman moved and the committee adopted an A1 author’s amendment by voice vote. After member discussion, the committee voted to recommend Senate File 2215 as amended to pass and re‑refer it to the State and Local Government Committee.

Advocates said the bill’s task force would provide enforcement power and legislative review to ensure DHS implements changes only after meaningful collaboration with people with disabilities, their families and providers. The committee recorded no roll‑call vote in the transcript; the chair announced the motion prevailed by voice.

The bill now moves to State and Local Government for further consideration.","Senate File 2215 would establish a legislative task force and require DHS collaboration and legislative review before submitting waiver reimagined plans; survivors, parents and advocacy groups testified that current DHS engagement is insufficient and the bill was recommended to pass after the committee adopted an author's amendment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DHS says coding error will leave state to absorb roughly $113M in federal SUD payments for seven tribal providers

Senate to extend timeline for supported‑decision‑making grants after counties report early success

Senate committee hears pleas to boost senior nutrition and support services; bill laid over for omnibus inclusion

Senate lays over $1M‑plus recovery community appropriation after testimony from Generation Hope

Senate committee advances bill requiring stakeholder oversight of DHS ‘waiver reimagined’ process after parents and advocates testify