We’ve been receiving questions from members about ancillary services for our clients. Here’s a brief description of other services impacted under a government shutdown. These are all proposed – we won’t know a final answer under Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin makes her final ruling, and she hasn’t issued a timeline when that might happen.
Services at the Department of Human Services
- Day Treatment & Habilitation Services – Under the governor’s petition, the entire Medicaid program would continue. In the 2005 government shutdown, the entire program was deemed essential. Given that precedent and the governor’s petition, it is highly unlikely the courts would find otherwise.
- DD Semi Independent Living Services (SILS) – The governor’s petition did not include funding for SILS. SILS grants are allocated to the counties and are 100 percent state funds. It was not included in the 2005 shutdown list of essential services. There isn't enough information at this point to determine whether or not it will continue.
- Background Studies – Background study functions were not included in Governor Dayton’s petition to the court, but were deemed essential in the 2005 shutdown by the special master. If the judge appoints a special master it is possible they would again add these functions, there’s no way to know. If one is appointed, we will work with the new special master to make our case.
Also, in anticipation of background studies not being available during a shutdown, ARRM is working on what other options for providers might be. We have been in contact with the licensing department and will continue to work on this issue.
Services at Other State Agencies
- Metro Transit Bus Service and Metro Mobility – Both of these functions are run by the Metropolitan Council, which is a political subdivision of the state (like a county or city). They receive state dollars for their operations, but also from other sources. They aren’t wholly dependent on a state appropriation for their operations. According to their website, they plan to continue all their transit services during a shutdown, unless directed otherwise by the courts. The governor didn’t have any recommendation for them in his submission to the court, so it’s fairly safe to assume those services will continue. However, an extended shutdown would draw down their other resources and at some point they’d need to get state funding to continue. When that might happen is unknown.
- Disability Determinations; Unemployment Claims Processing and Payment – The governor included these function on his list of essential services submitted to the court for the Department of Employment and Economic Development. There is no precedent for these because that particular department received an appropriation in the 2005 session.
- Vocational Services Authorizations or Claims – These functions were not included in the governor’s list for the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Again, there is no precedent for these because the department received an appropriation in the 2005 session prior to the shutdown.
- Most State Grants or Contracts – Unless specified by the governor, all grants or contracts will not operate after July 1st.
For a complete listing of all the services the governor has deemed essential, go here. We will continue to monitor any and all developments on the possible state government shutdown. As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact the ARRM office.
--Craig Wieber, Chief Fiscal Analyst