Hello from St. Paul,
The State of Minnesota recently spent $2 million to analyze potentially fraudulent activity in autism services programs. Lawmakers were expecting an in-depth update on the findings, known as the Optum report, and instead were handed a document that had been 90% redacted by the Walz administration.
Taxpayers are rightfully demanding transparency and accountability for the fraud happening in our state. Instead, we get a packet with blacked out photos and text. How are we supposed to get a handle on fraud if the Walz administration refuses to let us see the mistakes the agency has made?
Of the findings that were not redacted, the Optum report found that 90% of claims billed for autism services may be fraudulent. The analysis also found the number of autism service providers jumped from 41 to 328 over a five-year span – an 800% increase. That number continued to rise in the last year, now estimated at 500.
The Optum report also noted that the amount billed per recipient increased 3000% over five years and detailed how some providers were billing the State of Minnesota for services despite not even having basic information like a phone number or a website.
With at least $9 billion lost already to fraud in Minnesota, I’m disappointed with the lack of urgency being shown by the Walz administration.
Priority 1 this session has to be getting our fraud epidemic under control, and when the Walz administration refuses to tell lawmakers where the problems lie, we are only prolonging the problem.
LOCAL VISITS
It was a busy week and St Paul. I appreciate everyone who took the time to stop in and learn more as well as sharing their concerns
It was fun to visit with FFA students from St. James and and Heron Lake-Okabena-Lakefield!
I was also able to meet with local nurses attending “Nurses Day on the Hill” this week.
Nobles County Sheriff Ryan Kruger was here for Minnesota Sheriff's Day at the Capitol.
I had a great visit with directors of special education from the Jackson, Windom, Worthington, and Beaver Creek districts.
Senator Weber and I also met with Windom Schools Superintendent Jamie Frank.
Have a good weekend,
Marj