Walz demotes Minnesota Human Services chief after 70 days in appointed role
Walz said the reorganization will strengthen oversight and protect Medicaid as the agency faces a $25 billion budget and fraud scrutiny.
- On Monday, Governor Tim Walz removed Shireen Gandhi as Department of Human Services commissioner, appointing John Connolly as temporary replacement while Gandhi shifts to deputy commissioner overseeing Medicaid programs.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently withheld $91 million in Medicaid funding, intensifying federal pressure on the department over fraud allegations that have prompted the shakeup.
- Senate Republicans labeled the move a "demotion" and called it a "pathetic attempt to dodge real accountability," noting it occurred one day before Gandhi's scheduled confirmation hearing, which was canceled.
- Connolly appointed General Counsel Andrew Johnson as deputy commissioner to help stabilize the $25 billion agency, which employs roughly 7,000 people and manages Medicaid programs for vulnerable Minnesotans.
- With only 14 days remaining in the legislative session, critics argue recycling existing staff will not provide systemic changes needed to root out fraud, citing ongoing federal withholding of nearly $260 million.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Grand Rapids Herald-Review
Walz restructures DHS leadership; Republicans question timing
(The Center Square) – Gov. Tim Walz announced a leadership restructuring at the Minnesota Department of Human Services this week, framing the move as necessary to protect the state’s Medicaid program, while Republicans criticized it as an attempt to avoid…
Walz ousts Minnesota DHS commissioner just before confirmation hearing amid fraud scrutiny
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz removed Shireen Gandhi from her role as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services on Monday, one day before she was set to face an official confirmation hearing, as his administration faces a continuing firestorm over major fraud losses tied to state-run social services funding. Walz moved Gandhi back into...
Hanford Sentinel
Hastings TribuneSome Democrats had concerns about Walz’s pick for Human Services leader before she was ‘demoted’
Some Democratic Senators weighing whether to confirm the head of Minnesota’s embattled Department of Human Services had concerns about Gov. Tim Walz’s pick before he decided to reshuffle leadership of the agency. Shireen Gandhi has been acting as temporary commissioner…
Pine Journal
Department of Human Services switch-up draws scrutiny; new commissioner pick on medical leave
ST. PAUL — Critics are questioning Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to remove Shireen Gandhi as the Department of Human Services commissioner — announced Monday, the day before her confirmation hearing was scheduled — but her replacement won’t be stepping in right away. A memo sent from the new temporary commissioner, state Medicaid director John Connolly, revealed he will be on medical leave, undergoing treatment for colon cancer, until “likely early J…
Duluth News Tribune
Department of Human Services switch-up draws scrutiny
ST. PAUL — Critics are questioning Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to remove Shireen Gandhi as the Department of Human Services commissioner — announced Monday, the day before her confirmation hearing was scheduled. It’s not clear whether senators would have had the votes to confirm Gandhi, who has been criticized for being both too tough and not tough enough on fraud while at the Department of Human Services. When Gandhi was appointed by Walz in late …
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