What’s the plan to start fixing major problems at the state Human Services Department, senators asked new Commissioner Jodi Harpstead this morning at the Capitol. Rochester Republican Carla Nelson said she anticipates safeguards so millions of dollars of overpayments don’t happen again, but the lingering question is, “How long’s it been going on, what’s the total amount, and who’s gonna pay? Where’s the money coming from?” Harpstead responded, “That’s a very good question. I have the same question…. Of course we are waiting for the review of the whole situation to really get the entire picture of it,… and then the question is, what are the potential pathways going forward?”
The overpayment tally at this point is more than 70 million dollars and the federal government wants the money back.