Opinion | Be vigilant against waste, fraud and abuse in Minnesota, but beware collateral damage

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Minnesota has long been a national leader in supporting individuals with disabilities through home and community-based services (HCBS). But today, that legacy is at risk. The very systems designed to protect and empower our most vulnerable residents are now placing them in untenable, even dangerous, situations.

In response to years of rising concerns related to fraud reports within disability services, the Walz administration intensified enforcement actions. But that has led the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to actions that are not only unjustified but actively harmful. Payment withholds to providers of PCA/CFSS, CRS and other 245D licensed services are disrupting care, destabilizing lives and eroding trust in a system that should be a lifeline. These decisions are being made without sufficient investigation, without clear evidence and often without confirming a “credible allegation of fraud.” The result? Individuals who rely on daily support are left stranded — through no fault of their own.

Let me be clear: Fraud, waste and abuse do exist in our systems. We must be vigilant in rooting them out. But vigilance must be paired with fairness. When DHS takes punitive action against providers — especially actions as severe as stopping payments — it must do so with transparency, accountability and a commitment to due process. Otherwise, we risk punishing not just providers, but the very people those providers serve.

What’s especially troubling is that DHS has been repeatedly notified by providers over the years about suspected fraud, waste and abuse within the system. These reports have often gone unacknowledged or uninvestigated. When the department fails to act on credible concerns raised by those closest to the work, it undermines the integrity of the entire system. And when it does act — without evidence, process and safeguards — it creates chaos and harm for the very individuals the system is meant to protect.

Imagine relying on daily support to eat, bathe or communicate — and suddenly, that support is gone. Not because your needs changed, but because the state failed to uphold its responsibilities. That’s the reality for many Minnesotans today. Families are scrambling. Individuals are left isolated. And providers — many of whom operate on razor-thin margins — are being forced to make impossible choices.

This is not about politics. It’s about people.

I’ve reached out repeatedly to state leaders, offering to collaborate, problem-solve and find a better path forward. I’ve spoken with legislators, agency officials and advocates. And while I’ve encountered many who care deeply and are working hard, the system itself remains stuck — slow to respond, resistant to change and increasingly disconnected from the realities on the ground.

We are at an inflection point. If we continue down this path, we risk dismantling the very infrastructure that allows individuals with disabilities to live with dignity, autonomy and safety. We must act now — not for the sake of providers or agencies, but for the thousands of Minnesotans whose lives depend on these services every single day.

Gov. Tim Walz and his administration have an opportunity to lead boldly. To listen. To engage. And to fix what’s broken. I remain committed to being part of that solution. But time is running out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Minnesota can — and must — do better.