Resources

News and updates

Media releases or articles related to the Blue Ribbon Commission

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- ‘Blue Ribbon’ Human Services panel finalized; members will try to find $100M in state savings – Ryan Faircloth, Pioneer Press
- Kiscaden among 11 appointed to Blue Ribbon Commission – News staff, KAAL
- 11 Appointed to Minnesota’s New Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services – News staff, TRF Radio
- The $100 million challenge: Budget deal requires ‘blue ribbon’ panel to find big savings in state health and human services spending – Peter Callaghan, MinnPost

Research and information

Research and information provided to the commission for consideration but not reviewed or discussed as part of a regular meeting.

See research and information
- Governor's "Take action" letter - July 10, 2019 (PDF)
- Governor's "This is medicaid" letter - July 30, 2019 (PDF)

About the commission

During the 2019 Legislative Session, Governor Walz signed into law the establishment of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services. The Commission is chaired by the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, and comprised of 15 additional appointed members. By Oct. 1, 2020, the commission is charged with developing an action plan to improve program efficiencies, produce savings, and promote better outcomes in health and human services.

See more about the commission
The statute provides, at a minimum, the plan shall include strategies to:
1. Increase administrative efficiencies and program simplification within Health and Human Services
2. Reduce Health and Human Services expenditures by addressing cost drivers of state spending (MA)
3. Reduce fraud and improve program integrity in Health and Human Services programs
4. Improve access to Health and Human Services programs to address geographic, racial, and ethnic disparities
In developing the action plan, the commission will consider the impact on the capacity of state agencies, counties and tribal partners.In addition, the commission cannot include recommendations that will result in the loss of benefits for individuals eligible for state health and human services public programs or exacerbate health disparities and inequities in access to health care and human services.

The public kick off meeting for the commission is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2019, with the final action plan due to legislature and the governor on Oct. 1, 2020.
- Commission member list (PDF)
- Commission executive summary (PDF)