A major development in the Congressional investigation into Minnesota's
4-billion dollar Medicaid program. The Congressional Committee
investigating the the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the
four HMOs that run the Medicaid program is taking aim at DHS
Commissioner, Lucinda Jesson. Jesson testified, under oath, before that
Committee in April. She characterized a 30-million dollar giveback to
the State from U-Care, one of the HMOs that administer the Medicaid
program, as a "donation."
But, Congressman Darrel Issa, (R) CA,, sent a letter to Jesson
questioning her honesty. Issa says he met with U-Care CEO, Nancy
Feldman, last month and she told him that she, nor any high-level
employee at U-Care ever called the 30-million dollar giveback a
"donation." Issa went on to say in the letter to Jesson that he is
giving her a chance to "clarify, or change" her testimony. He gave
Jesson a July 12th deadline, but has not yet received a response from
the Commissioner.
Commissioner Jesson declined our request for an interview but, in a
statement, says she stands by the "donation" characterization and she
will answer Issa's questions tomorrow. U-Care also declined comment but,
said, in part, through a written statement, that the company has always
called the giveback a "contribution" and it is up to the State and the
Feds to determine, if it is a "donation." That is significant because if
it is a donation, half the money should be returned to the taxpayers.
Governor Dayton, we were told, was not available for an interview
either.
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