Last week, Senior Director of External Affairs Barb Turner attended a special hearing of the Minnesota Senate Human Services Finance and Policy Reform Committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Abeler (GOP-Anoka). The Committee was reviewing the status and recent reports for several programs supporting people with disabilities, particularly around the topic of financial oversight. Barb was one of only three testifiers, the other two being the Legislative Auditor's office and DHS.
During her testimony, Barb reinforced HCBS providers' concern and attention to the issue of fraud and commitment to assure public funds are being used legally, appropriately and efficiently. She reminded the Committee that ARRM worked cooperatively with DHS on language for required data reporting for HCBS and reviewed all the existing documentation already required under the HCBS waiver and ICF rules.
She also clarified the difference between PCA state plan services and HCBS services, and challenged the recommendation for from the Legislative Auditor to implement practices similar to those in place for PCA, citing both the significant difficulties for PCA reporting and how the differences in HCBS would only exacerbate those issues. Barb urged Committee members to target bad actors as opposed to placing additional industry-wide administrative burdens on providers, the vast majority of whom are doing things the right way while dealing with historic workforce shortages. Finally, she urged the Committee to not overburden providers and use what is already in place and working as they implement requirements for the Cures Act ( Electronic Visit Verification).
On MnCHOICES, Barb requested DHS to look at a formal way for providers to give input as part of the assessment process. This was received well by both committee members and DHS.