SOUTH SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Dayton’s announcement Monday, which includes payments for a list of critical human services in the event of a state government shutdown, was welcome news to three Minnesota associations that represent the majority of providers of disability services in the state. Earlier Monday, the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM), the Minnesota Development Achievement Center (MnDACA) and the Minnesota Habilitation Coalition (MHC) filed an amicus brief in Ramsey County District Court, making a strong case that the services its members provide are essential and therefore payments to disability provider must continue. The brief demonstrates that payments are required to maintain adequate support for people with disabilities, and without compensation to providers, vulnerable people would be harmed. The district court will hear the matter on Thursday.
“We appreciate and endorse the governor’s position that our services should be considered essential should a government shutdown take place,” said ARRM CEO Bruce Nelson. “Without state payments, thousands of Minnesotans with disabilities would be in jeopardy. Almost all funding goes to caregivers and without caregivers, people who are dependent on 24-hour services would have a hard time getting their needs met.
“Options would include nursing homes and hospitals, but their funding was also on the table,” Nelson said. “We were truly afraid for people and breathed as huge sigh of relief with the governor’s announcement Monday.”
Because many providers of disability services have no operating reserves beyond one or two payroll periods, it will be impossible to provide an acceptable level of care for people with disabilities for more than a month or two if payments from the state are halted.
###
Comments