Housing Stabilization Services cost to taxpayers is growing

The cost of Medicaid fraud keeps climbing each week. Each week, additional reports come out highlighting something new that we didn't know about Medicaid fraud. This week, KSTP's Callan Gray filed this report on "how much the Housing Stabilization Services program fraud could cost taxpayers."

According to Miss Gray's reporting, "5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has been pressing the state agency for answers since the announcement. In a response on Thursday, DHS said the 77 providers had collectively billed and received $88,029,185 for HSS services since 2020. The state agency added, however, 'it is not accurate to conclude that the full amount paid to these providers constitutes fraudulent activity. A payment withhold is a temporary action that is implemented until the fraud allegations are resolved.'"

It's more than a little distracting to find out that Gov. Walz's administration didn't implement front end controls to prevent fraud. This video is disturbing:

It isn't just that the Medicaid fraud is out-of-control. It's that the Walz administration can't fully admit that they're terrible at their job. Further, the DFL as a party appears disinterested in preventing the Medicaid fraud. Predictably, Gov. Walz's doublespeak is disturbing:

Gov. Walz is quoted as saying "Until the legislature can redesign this program, it is simply too susceptible to fraud to continue. This effort is one of many that this administration is making to tighten controls, catch and penalize criminal activity and ensure that state services go to only those who truly need them. "

Which is it? Is Gov. Walz blaming the legislature for not including tight enough controls? Is Gov. Walz taking credit for tightening controls and catching and penalizing criminal activity?

This is typical Walz spin. Notice that he's initially blaming the legislative branch for not imposing tight controls. Next, he's taking credit for his administration is tightening controls and catching and penalizing criminal activity. Is Gov. Walz saying that his administration is doing the legislature's job while doing this administration's job, too?

I'm betting that his administration isn't actually doing either, at least with any proficiency. I think this is one of those times when he's tring to be all things to all people. If that's what's happening, he's failing.