Well, this has been a heavy couple of weeks here in Minnesota.
Medicaid funding
Starting with this one because it feels as if it’s getting lost in all of our ICE-y news from Minnesota. I was at a news conference on Wednesday where family members and state government officials addressed the harmful impacts of the federal government withholding of $2B in funding from the state of MN. This funding is what helps the elderly and people with disabilities receive care in our communities. This amount of funding isn’t something our state can just make up for in other ways – there isn’t enough in general funds or reserves to cover 2 BILLION DOLLARS!!! Please watch the links at the bottom of this post.
As I wrote in a previous post, “It’s important to go after the fraud but don’t let the reasons these programs exist and the humans that need this care get lost in the process.” I feel that we’re now officially lost in the process.
My small provider agency has informed me that they are able to pay my staff for now, even though the MN Department of Human Services has implemented a pre-approval payment process that delays reimbursements for up to 90 days. This is where small agencies like mine may not have enough in reserves or a line of credit that’s enough to cover payroll. I have a friend who has just been notified by her provider agency that they can’t continue paying her staff. She is having to figure out what to do next.
As far as my family and I can tell, there are no back-up contingency plans or continuity of care plans in place if providers are no longer able to pay staff. It’s not easy to just switch to another provider agency – even if they’d take you as a client right now, who’s to say that the delayed payments wouldn’t impact them in the same way. Not really sure what the options are so we’re all just trying to hang on to the services I’m currently using.
And, yes, I am lucky enough to have a family home that I can return to if I need to – but not everyone does. What happens to people then?
About my community
I don’t have a lot to say here – you’ve all seen what’s happening in Minnesota. I did go through online constitutional observer training last weekend just to make sure i can do what I can to help keep my neighbors and staff safe. Mom grabbed extra whistle kits from Makwa Coffee for here at my apartment and for any of my staff who need them. Thanks to Makwa for being there for our community!
My parents and I went to a fantastic Mexican restaurant in NE Minneapolis on Friday for lunch. They’re keeping the doors locked and opening them to welcome their customers. I can’t do much but really wanted to do what I could to help support local immigrant-owned businesses.
It’d be nice just to get back to not being worried about so many things…
Holding on to peace and love in Minnesota – Justin
Links to news about the Medicaid Press Conference
MN Caregivers fear a future after proposed Medicaid funding freeze (KSTP News)
Full news conference below from Fox 9 News:
Justin Smith Writes 