Info on disability waiver wait times, financial reporting likely to be expanded

The public would have easier access to financial information and wait time statistics on the state’s disability waiver program, under a bill passed 127-0 by the House Wednesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville) and Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin), HF3486/SF2857* would require the Department of Human Services to post on its website several compiled reports on the state’s disability home and community-based waiver program using information the department already gathers from lead agencies, including counties. The reports to be posted would include:

• monthly updates on the financial information for lead agencies receiving the waiver, including unused resources and funds allocated to these agencies and details about the most recent forecasted expenditures for the disability waivers;
• quarterly updates, beginning Aug. 1, 2016, about wait lists for the disability waivers, including details about who is on the lists or leaves without receiving services; and
• annual reports on the compiled financial information, wait times and a list of lead agencies required to submit a corrective action plan for overspending or underspending disability waiver allocations. The report would also report on lead agencies that experienced gains or losses in resources due to the department reallocating resources.

The bill would also repeal reporting requirement language made redundant by this bill.

Passed 63-0 by the Senate April 27, the bill now heads to the governor.

Peterson said the bill was introduced in response to recent revelations that thousands of dollars in disability funds were sitting unused by counties despite long wait lists for individuals seeking the services. She said the change would make the information more accessible to the public and help improve oversight of how the funds are managed.