Updated Budget Forecast Released
On Thursday, Minnesota Management and Budget released the 2019 February Budget and Economic Forecast. The new forecast projects a surplus of $1.052 billion; this is down by $492 million from the November forecast.
ARRM Staff Meet with Commissioner Lourey
This week, our CEO Sue Schettle and Director of State and Federal Policy Sara Grafstrom, along with representatives from MOHR, had an opportunity to meet with the new Commissioner of Human Services, Tony Lourey.
The group thanked him for acknowledging the pressure the industry is under by helping to get a competitive workforce factor into the disability waiver rate system. While this is not a full solution and would not recover the full amount of money lost due to the 7% being removed from rates in 2018, it is a step in the right direction.
ARRM staff was also able to raise concerns on the proposal to increase licensing fees to providers included in the Governor’s budget. Commissioner Lourey acknowledged the concerns but made it clear this proposal will continue to be introduced until it is eventually adopted into law. ARRM countered that the association would continue to fight unfunded business cost increases until the increases are supported by reimbursement rates and/or the licensing process becomes more efficient and effective, thus reducing the need for fee increases. Industry representatives urged Commissioner Lourey to work with providers to improve the current process and visit protocol.
To continue to strengthen the relationship, Commissioner Lourey was invited to a future ARRM event, to give members the opportunity to speak directly to him and to work to continue a dialogue with his office. He was open to the invitation and ARRM will continue to pursue having Commissioner Lourey attend a future ARRM meeting.
Best Life Alliance Legislation
As shared in past updates, the Best Life Alliance continues to engage with DHS and House members in drafting an amendment to Rep. Schultz’s HF 168.
ARRM has participated in many meetings which had productive outcomes. An amendment is anticipated to be being added to her bill within the next couple weeks which includes a competitive workforce factor and allows rates to re-based every two years. As soon as that amendment is available and a hearing is scheduled ARRM members will be informed.
Other Legislative Priorities
With the first committee deadline quickly approaching (March 15th), ARRM is working hard to secure bill hearings in the House and Senate for all legislative priorities, specifically the Policy and ICF legislation.
An email was sent out to the ARRM ICF Taskforce on Thursday, encouraging members to reach out to their House member about our ICF bill (HF 590) and talk to the Chair of the House Health and Human Service Policy Committee, Rena Moran, about holding a hearing for HF 590. If you are a provider of ICF services, please make this contact.
Questions
Please feel free to reach out and contact me with any questions you may have about ARRM’s legislative priories or other legislation you are monitoring.
--Sara Grafstrom, Director of State and Federal Policy