A group allegedly representing 5,000 disabled Minnesota residents received a nod from a federal judge to proceed with its class-action lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Pioneer Press reported.
In a lawsuit filed August 2015, four plaintiffs argue the DHS mismanaged its Home and Community Based Service Waiver program, which is designed to help those with disabilities live independently. The plaintiffs claim DHS withheld more than $1 billion in Medicaid services to approximately 5,000 disabled Minnesotans. The plaintiffs also claim they were left on waiting lists for years — some for 15 years — and the DHS incorrectly told the plaintiffs they were ineligible for funds, according to the report.
DHS said the plaintiffs' arguments should be dismissed or Minnesota counties should be named in the lawsuit as well. The judge denied the argument, stating DHS was the program's main regulator.
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