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HF 408

A bill for an act providing an appropriation to eliminate the current waiting lists for the Medicaid home and community-based services waivers.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Turek

A one-year General Fund appropriation to DHHS, guided by the Medicaid forecasting group, to eliminate HCBS waiver waiting lists as of June 30, 2025.

Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services.
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Bill Summary · HF 408

Summary of HF 408 (Introduced Feb. 13, 2025)

Purpose and Intent

HF 408 proposes a targeted general fund appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the fiscal year covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The purpose is to eliminate the current waiting lists for Minnesota’s Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers. The amount of the appropriation would be determined by the Medicaid forecasting group and used to remove eligible individuals from HCBS waiver waiting lists as of June 30, 2025.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Appropriation
    • The bill appropriates from the state general fund to DHHS for FY 2025-2026 an amount deemed sufficient by the Medicaid forecasting group to eliminate the HCBS waiver waiting lists as of June 30, 2025.
    • The Medicaid forecasting group must determine both the appropriation amount and the number of individuals eliminated from the waiting lists.
    • The forecast must be documented in the first forecasting report released in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
  • Forecasting Group
    • Composed of staff from DHHS, the Department of Management, and the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services Agency.
    • Responsible for calculating the appropriation amount and reporting the number of individuals removed from the waiting lists.
  • Explanatory Note
    • The bill includes an explanatory section, clarifying the intent and mechanics of the appropriation, but this explanation does not represent an official agreement by the General Assembly.

Fiscal Implications

  • Funding Source: General Fund.
  • Duration: Fiscal year 2025-2026 (FY 2026 budget period).
  • Nature of Funding: One-year appropriation, contingent on the Medicaid forecasting group’s calculations.
  • Reporting: The first forecast report (announcing the appropriation amount and the number of individuals eliminated) must be published in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025.

Implementation Timeline

  • Waiting lists targeted for elimination: as of June 30, 2025.
  • First forecasting report: published in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
  • Legislative status: Introduced (HF 408) and referred to Health and Human Services on February 13, 2025.

Affected Parties

  • Individuals currently on Medicaid HCBS waiver waiting lists.
  • Medicaid HCBS waiver providers and participants.
  • DHHS, Minnesota Management and Budget, and the Legislative Services Agency (for forecasting and reporting).
  • Families and advocates for individuals awaiting HCBS services.

Legislative History

  • Sponsor: Primary — TUREK.
  • Action: Introduced February 13, 2025; referred to Health and Human Services.

This summary captures the bill’s core goal (eliminating HCBS waiver waiting lists via a targeted one-year general fund appropriation), the mechanism for determining the appropriation, and the reporting requirements that accompany the funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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