Lawmakers question DHS data on mental health program closures
After five investigations found the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) was not aware of the closures of more than a dozen mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers, lawmakers are calling for a review from the state’s largest agency. I’m looking for answers.
The program is listed as “active” in the state database, even though phone lines are down and office space is empty. Multiple health care providers admitted to five investigators in September that they had not seen patients in several weeks.
DHS Assistant Secretary Eric Gramdahl declined to comment on specific programs, but said in an interview that inactive programs “represent a very small minority” of all licensed providers. Stated.
But Sen. Paul Wuttke, R-Park Rapids, called the discrepancy “unacceptable.”
“DHS seems to be seriously lacking oversight. I expect DHS to do better,” Utke said in an interview Thursday after seeing the story.
Health care providers and patient advocacy groups have been warning of the closures for months, warning that the workforce crisis and low reimbursement rates are forcing programs to make difficult decisions.
One of those providers, Brian Sammon, was forced to close two intensive day treatment programs for youth with severe mental health and substance use disorders.
“If we don’t figure this out, this is a group of kids who are going to end up in the hospital again, suicidal, running around on the streets, doing all kinds of things,” Sammon told the five investigators. .
The need for such transition programs has increased in the aftermath of the pandemic, leaving children and teens with few care options.
At a joint legislative committee hearing Thursday, DHS officials said they believe thousands of people were “admitted” to hospitals in 2023 due to a lack of beds in other transition facilities.
Sen. John Hoffman, DFL Champlin, mentioned the need to address mental health during the hearing.
“We need to consider interest rates to some extent,” he said.
