SOUTH SAINT PAUL, Minn. – As the governor and attorney general prepare for a state government shutdown, providers of disability services to Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens are making their own plans to weather a potential shutdown. The Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM), an association of 150 private providers of residential services for people with disabilities, is advising its members to make contingency plans given the conflicting and confusing information issued by the governor earlier this week.
“The documents Governor Dayton released specify that while entitlement programs will continue, related provider payments will not,” said ARRM’s chief fiscal analyst, Craig Wieber. “It is unclear how individuals with disabilities can receive services without paying providers.”
ARRM members do not maintain reserves to cash flow a cessation of payments. Because 75 percent of Medicaid payments to providers go directly to caregivers and 25 percent to fixed costs, many ARRM members would be unable to continue providing services to people with disabilities.
“At the center of this legal wrangling are our most vulnerable citizens,” ARRM CEO Bruce Nelson said. “I’m gravely concerned about them if their services are in jeopardy.”
ARRM will be meeting with other Medicaid providers in the ensuing days to discuss the governor’s latest information and formulate a response, which may include filing a legal brief to deem payments to providers core services.
About ARRM
ARRM is a non-profit association that was founded in 1970 by a group of private providers and advocates dedicated to leading the advancement of community-based services that support people with disabilities in their pursuit of safe and meaningful lives.
###
Comments